President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded the strength and resilience of cancer-stricken children as he led the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Celebration at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) on Tuesday.
In his speech, President Marcos attributed the true meaning of strength to children’s laughter and courage despite the pain they have to endure in their battle against the Big C at such a young age.
“To be here at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, I am reminded that in a world characterized by power and strength, children teach us what true strength looks like,” President Marcos said.
“We come here thinking that we need to be strong for them but, in reality, it is their strength that lifts us. It is in their laughter, despite the pain. It is the courage that reminds us what it means to be human,” he added.
Recognizing the resilience embodied in the small frames and brave hearts of the children, President Marcos recalled PCMC as a place once called Lungsod ng Kabataan, which was born out of his parents’ affection for children as the nation’s greatest treasure.
“Here at the PCMC, those small frames and brave hearts show us that resilience is not about being unbreakable, but about bending without breaking,” the President underscored.
“This place, formally called Lungsod ng Kabataan, was borne out of my parents’ love for children and from their belief that children are this nation’s greatest treasure,” he added.
The Chief Executive emphasized that PCMC was established due to his parents’ understanding that the future of the country rests on the innocent and pure minds of children, despite the challenges they face
PCMC was built as a sanctuary not just for treatment, but for the children to realize their full potential despite their medical conditions, he added.
“So when my parents established this institution, they understood that the future of our country rests on those whose innocence remain pure despite the adversities that they face. That they knew that our children’s welfare is the country’s well-being,” President Marcos said.
“They built this sanctuary not just for treatment, but for hope that every child, despite whatever diseases they are suffering from, can grow up to their full potential,” he added. PND
