The statue of Andres Bonifacio in Sto. Domingo, Albay. Contributed photo from Sto. Domingo municipal government
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged the Filipinos to emulate the heroism of Gat Andres Bonifacio by showing their love for the country in everyday tasks.
In his speech on the 160th Bonifacio Day, delivered by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin at the hero’s monument in Caloocan City, the President said Bonifacio was like any ordinary Filipino who dedicated his life to fighting for his countrymen and the Philippines.
“I invite everyone to emulate his heroism and patriotism and to demonstrate these in our daily tasks,” the President said.
In a separate message issued by the Palace, the President said Bonifacio Day should not be observed by merely glorifying the “storied tenacity” of the Father of the Philippine Revolution.
“Rather, let us honor his sacrifices by faithfully performing our patriotic duties in ways that both Bonifacio and future generations will be proud of,” he said.
READ: Gat Andres Bonifacio remembered in Albay
“The circumstances we have today may differ that our past, but our shared yearning for a better future emanates from the same certitude that we and our heroes possess—the love we have towards our country and the desire to see our people live in a truly free and peaceful society,” he added.
In his speech, the President said that Filipinos, while called to lay down their lives for the motherland like Bonifacio, are also called “to devote their talent, intelligence, courage and time, so that our every step will serve as a light of hope and inspiration for our countrymen.”
Mr. Marcos said he could already see Bonifacio’s heroism in the dedication and the love for the country of the Filipino workers, medical workers, teachers, police and military officers, and the OFWs who are bringing Filipino pride around the world.
READ: Isko Moreno to Filipinos: Emulate Andres Bonifacio’s patriotism
“Like them, we can continue what Gat Andres Bonifacio had begun and make sure we impart to our youth the real and pure love for [the] country that he demonstrated,” he said.
The President said every Filipino has an important task to join efforts to improve the economy and society and enrich culture, leading to national progress as envisioned by his administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) slogan.