Marcos urges Filipinos to channel Undas devotion into compassion

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday urged Filipinos to transform the spiritual observance of Undas into meaningful gestures of care and support for vulnerable members of society.

In his message marking the traditional period of remembrance, Marcos emphasized that the devotion Filipinos demonstrate in honoring their deceased relatives during All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day should extend beyond cemetery visits and prayers. He called for this sentiment to manifest in acts of compassion directed toward people facing economic and social hardships.

The President's appeal underscored the cultural significance of Undas among Filipino families, who traditionally gather to pay respects at burial grounds and maintain connections with their ancestors. Marcos sought to broaden this observance by connecting it to contemporary social concerns and the need for solidarity among Filipinos.

The presidential message reflects ongoing efforts by the administration to encourage civic engagement and charitable action during the holiday period, when many Filipinos reflect on mortality and family bonds.