MANILA — The 126th anniversary of the declaration of Philippines Independence is not merely commemorating the country’s history, but also a challenge to continue fighting for liberty, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.
Filipinos will not shy away from defending the nation’s territory, President Marcos said.
Speaking during the anniversary celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, President Marcos said Wednesday’s event is a way of paying tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives and fought for freedom and independence.
“Ang ating mga ninuno ay hindi umurong sa digmaan, kaya’t tayo ay hindi rin tatalikod sa tungkuling ipagtanggol ang ating nasasakupan,” said the President.
“Ipapakita natin sa buong daigdig na ang tunay na kapangyarihan ay hindi nasusukat sa lakas o sa yaman, kung hindi sa tunay na kahulugan at katuwiran ng ating ipinaglalaban, sa alab ng pag-ibig sa bayan, at sa di- matatawarang pagkakaisa ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said.
Filipinos are not merely looking back at the past, they are living it with every step they take towards a freer future, he noted.
Along with this appreciation, the President said, is the commitment to continue what the country’s forebears started: The wholehearted stand for the rights as a free nation; the honest and proactive measures to uplift communities; and the relentless efforts to improve the lives of citizens.
The President also wants to impart on the people, especially the youth, the suffering of the nation’s ancestors and heroes to achieve freedom and peace, noting freedom is nurtured, protected, and fought for.
“Sinisimbolo ng okasyon natin ngayon—ang Parada ng Kalayaan na masasaksihan natin maya-maya—ang ating pagsisikap na maisabuhay sa puso ng mga bagong Pilipino na narito ngayon, ang tunay na diwa ng kabayanihan, kalayaan, at pag-asa,” he said.
The Chief Executive also called on the public to continue to enjoy and be proud of being Filipinos as he rallied for support to help emancipate the country from poverty, hunger, injustice, and other barriers to development.
“Tinatawagan ko kayong lahat na patuloy na tangkilikin at ipagmalaki ang ating pagiging Pilipino. Tayo ay babangon at aangat bilang isang bansa, na may malinaw na pananaw sa kinabukasang inaasam. Magsama-sama tayo sa paglalakbay tungo sa isang mas maliwanag at masaganang bukas,” President Marcos said.
“Sa bawat hakbang, sa bawat pagpupunyagi, ipagpatuloy natin ang laban para sa kalayaan—kalayaan mula sa kahirapan, kagutuman, kawalan ng katarungan, at iba pang mga balakid sa ating pag-unlad. Lagi lamang po nating tandaan: Ang kasaysayan ang siyang susi natin tungo sa wagas at tunay na kalayaan, at sa kinabukasang puno ng pag-asa, kaliwanagan, at kasaganahan,” he stressed.
This year’s anniversary celebration has for its theme, “Freedom, Future, History,” highlighting the importance of looking back at the country’s past. (PND)
