As fuel and food prices continue to strain Filipino households, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the country must draw from a different kind of resource, one he calls “spiritual fuel,” to withstand growing economic pressure.
In a recent vlog released during Holy Week, Cayetano likened the role of faith to fuel, a resource he said people now understand more deeply as global crises drive up oil prices.
“The hope that comes from that should be something that fuels us. Ginamit ko talaga y’ung word na ‘fuel’ dahil alam kong ngayon dahil napakamahal ng gasolina lalo diesel dahil nga sa crisis sa buong mundo,” he said.
The senator said that just as vehicles cannot run without fuel, people also need inner strength to function, especially under pressure.
Cayetano linked this “spiritual fuel” to growing concerns about burnout and mental fatigue. He said emotional and physical exhaustion often come from a lack of deeper grounding.
“Nakita na natin po na y’ung spiritual fuel, y’ung mental, ay kaugnay rin sa physical fuel natin. Kumbaga, naburn out din tayong lahat kapag ang Panginoon ay wala sa puso natin,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of rest and reflection as a way to regain clarity and strength.
“Napaka-importante po sa tao y’ung quiet time, time with the Lord, time with yourself, time with family,” he said.
His remarks come as Filipino households continue to feel the impact of high fuel costs, which drive up transportation fares and the price of basic goods due to tensions in the Middle East.
Cayetano acknowledged these pressures and stressed the need for collective action.
“May mga beyond our control pero hindi tayo helpless. Kaya nga malaki ang gobyerno, kaya nga grabe ang taxing power, kaya nga may pera. Kaya nandyan din y’ung private sector, kaya nandyan din ang media. We can all pitch in. Constructive criticism para maayos ito,” he said.
Amid these challenges, the senator urged Filipinos to stay grounded and to look for opportunities even in difficult times.
“Leaders see opportunities. Kahit anong problema, kahit anong struggle, we have to look for the opportunity,” he said.
He added that taking time to pause and reflect can help people move forward with clearer direction.
“Continue to pray, continue to center yourself. Kailangan natin lahat y’ung taking one step backward before we take two steps forward,” he said.