PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on every Filipino to usher in 2026 with hope and purpose in steering the country to greater heights in 2026. In his New Year’s message, Marcos enjoined everyone to have a shared commitment to national progress toward the Bagong Pilipinas by exercising unity and compassion. “As we step into the unfolding days ahead, may we move forward with a clearer understanding of our role in each other’s lives and a renewed commitment to building a future shaped not by circumstance done, but by the strength of our will and the clarity of our collective purpose,” he said. He also encouraged everyone to pause and reflect on the past year’s experiences, stressing the value of learning from challenges while setting a hopeful direction for the future. “The coming of another year is always a moment for reflection and renewal. It gives us the opportunity to look back on the year that has passed — its lessons, challenges and achievements — and to look ahead with hope and purpose to the possibilities that await us,” the president said, while also underscoring the need to have a forward-looking mindset as the country enters a new chapter. “As we step into 2026, I therefore call on every Filipino to embrace the year with discipline, confidence and a shared commitment to our nation’s progress. For beyond personal resolutions, the new year calls on us to examine how we live with one another, how we lift one another and how our choices shape our nation,” he added. Marcos also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advance its vision of a more unified and compassionate Philippines while pointing out the importance of solidarity and moral choice in nation-building. “A society thrives when its people choose empathy over indifference, service over self-Interest and hope over despair,” he said. “It is thus our commitment in the government to be relentless in pursuing a Bagong Pilipinas that nurtures unity, fosters compassion and showcases the greatness of our kababayan,” he added.