19 December 2013 – Poland’s First Lady, Madame Anna Komorowska today led the ceremonial lighting of the Philippine parol which she and President Bronislaw Komorowski decided to hang in a window at the Presidential Palace to signifiy Poland’s solidarity with the Philippines in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

She recalled that last November, a special prayer for the victims of the typhoon was made during a mass which she and President Komorowski attended. Mrs. Komorowska said that the song which the Polish children will render is Poland’s way of thanking the Philippines for the parol. 

In her brief remarks, the president of the Polska Acksja Humanitarnan (Polish Humanitarian Action or PAH) Ms. Janina Ochojska said that PAH is building 1,000 houses in Bantayan Island and that it expects to finish 170 houses by Christmas.

For her part, Ambassador Paez said that “the Philippines is far away from Warsaw” and “very little is known about the Philippines in Poland” that she “never thought that (the Polish people) will give (the Philippines their) kind attention, pray for us, open your hearts, share your time, energies, resources, extend your helping hands, and show that you care for us during our time of grief, pain, sorrow, and despair in the aftermath of a typhoon that struck our islands.” She added that she “could not find the words to express (the Philippines’) profound gratitude to the Polish people.

Also present during the program for the Philippine parol’s ceremonial lighting were the director of Caritas Polska Fr. Mariann Subocz, executive director of UNICEF Polska Marek Krupinski, and a representative of the Polish Red Cross.

FULL TEXT OF AMBASSADOR PAEZ’S REMARKS:

REMARKS OF AMBASSADOR PATRICIA ANN V. PAEZ OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE CEREMONIAL LIGHTING OF THE PHILIPPINES “PAROL” (CHRISTMAS LANTERN) TO H.E. PRESIDENT BRONISLAW KOMOROWSKI AND MADAME ANNA KOMOROWSKA,

Presidential Residence, 18 December 2013

Good morning to Madame Anna Komorowska, to the President of the Polish Humanitarian Action Ms. Janina Ochojska, to all distinguished officials, guests, friends, to all the people of this great country, Poland.

My country is so far away from Warsaw. Very little is known about the Philippines in Poland. I never thought that you will give us your kind attention, pray for us, open your hearts, share your time, energies, resources, extend your helping hands, and show that you care for us during our time of grief, pain, sorrow, and despair in the aftermath of a typhoon that struck our islands, that took away the lives of thousands of our people, with thousands more missing; that affected over a million people. I therefore, could not find the words to express our profound gratitude to all of you.

With your kindness, you sent us a message of hope: that we are not alone, that the people of  Poland are on our side, telling us to remain steadfast in our faith, bound as we are by our Catholic faith. I want each and every citizen of Poland to know that when we were about to give up, you lifted our spirit; that when we were so weakened, you gave us the strength to overcome this tragedy; the human will to move on, with even greater faith in God.

Somebody said, and I quote: “To know a man’s true character, give him power.” President Komorowki, Mrs. Komorowska and Ms. Ochojska are individuals of sterling character. They use the power and influence that they possess, for the well-being of those suffering, with grace, humility, and sincerity.

On behalf of President Benigno Aquino III and the Filipino nation, I thank them, I thank the Polish Humanitarian Action, I thank the Caritas Polska, the Polish Red Cross, UNICEF Polska, the Conference of the Polish Episcopate, I thank Archbishop Jozef Michalik and all the churches, priests, and nuns of Poland, the many organizations and countless individuals who supported us, such as Atty. Roman Giertych, Mr. Boguswav Chrabota of Rzeczpospolita, Mr, Adam Michnik of Gazeta Wybrozca, and to all  generous citizens of Poland. 

I thank President Komorowki who could have simply given instructions to members of his official family to find ways to help the Philippines. But no, he did not do that. He made time. He went out of his way to meet personally with the charitable organizations. He called on the people of Poland to give donations to the Philippines in its time of dire need. President Komorowski, thank you very much for heeding the Filipino people’s cries for help. Thank you for wiping away our tears.

For everything that you have done for us, we can only humbly offer you our “parol.” It is a Christmas lantern made by Filipinos in the city of San Fernando, in the province of Pampanga. We hang them in our homes to light the way of the faithful who go to church during the Christmas season for the Midnight Mass. This parol represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Kings on their way to the manger of Jesus Christ. We light them as a symbol of hope. We light them as a way of wishing goodwill to all mankind.

It is a great privilege and honor for the Filipino nation for President Komorowski and Madame Komorowski to accept our small token of appreciation. We are humbled by your gesture. We shall always treasure your compassion. We will never forget the goodness, and the generosity of the people of Poland with every beat of our hearts. May God bless all the Polish people. God bless Poland and thank you so much. END