Marcos’ Easter Sunday message: Rise in action, make a difference

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

RESURRECTION. The traditional “Salubong,” reenacting the meeting of the Risen Christ and the Virgin Mary, at the Sacred Heart Parish Shrine along Scout Ybardolaza Street, Quezon City, on Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025). President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his Easter Sunday message, urged Filipinos to manifest their faith into actions to help in the grand task of nation-building. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to translate their faith into concrete action, using the occasion of Easter Sunday to emphasize the need for compassion, solidarity, and inclusive governance in facing the country’s challenges.

In a statement marking one of the most significant days in the Christian calendar, Marcos said the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a symbol of hope but a mandate to uplift the lives of others — especially those “buried in debt, in hunger, and in silence.”

“The triumph of Easter Sunday is not just a celebration filled with hope and aspiration for a better tomorrow, but also a testament to the victory of life over death, hope over despair, and light over darkness,” Marcos said in his official Easter Sunday message.

“It is a clear and solemn affirmation that challenges are not the end, but the means for the reward that we, too, shall receive, through our faithfulness in doing the will of the Almighty,” he added.

Easter, celebrated by millions of Catholic Filipinos across the country, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It marks the culmination of Holy Week and serves as a time of spiritual renewal and national reflection.

With roughly 80 percent of the population identifying as Roman Catholic, Easter remains deeply woven into the country’s cultural and religious identity.

Marcos’ message moved beyond traditional greetings, urging the faithful to embrace active faith that translates into policy and governance.

“The Resurrection is not just a moment to celebrate, it is a call to action,” he said.

“The risen Christ does not rise alone, He invites us to rise with Him — through policies that heal, through laws that protect, and through governance that leaves no one behind,” the President added.

Marcos then called on the public to embrace and help in nation-building through public service and civic engagement.

“We must rise — not merely in belief, but in deeds, and not only in prayer, but in action,” he said.

“The stone has been rolled away. We are now exposed not just to boundless possibilities, but also to the knowledge that we, too, can make a difference.”

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., in his Easter Sunday message, said the Resurrection of Christ is a reminder that “hope and redemption will prevail, even in the face of hardship and despair.”

“It is a symbol of triumph, guiding us through challenges with the promise of better days ahead,” Teodoro said.

He also honored the uniformed men for their selfless service.

“Their courage and commitment reflect the very spirit of Easter: sacrifice, resilience, and hope,” Teodoro said. (With Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)