Vice President Leni Robredo said Filipinos can overcome the different challenges they face as long as they unite and pour all their strength into one common goal.
Robredo made the statement as the country commemorated its 123rd Independence Day on Saturday, June 12.
In her video message, the Vice President said history has been witness to what Filipinos can do when they work together, noting how the country's heroes stood up against colonizers.
"Ipinakita natin noon sa mga Kastila, at sa lahat ng sumubok maniil sa ating bayan: Mukha mang tagilid ang laban, basta humuhugot tayo ng lakas sa isa't isa, kaya nating magtagumpay (We showed the Spaniards, and all those who tried to oppress our country, that we may be at a disadvantage, as long as we draw strength from one another, we will overcome)," she said.
"Saksi ang kasaysayan sa layo ng kaya nating marating, at sa tayog ng mga pangarap na kaya nating abutin— basta sama-sama at tulong-tulong tayo, basta iisa ang direksyong tinatahak natin (History has been witness to what we can achieve and the highest of dreams that we can reach as long as we work together and help one another, as long as we are going to one direction)," she added.
Vice President Robredo hoped that Filipinos will remember to unite especially in the face of challenges, particularly the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
"Kung magbubuklod tayo, kung pagsasamahin natin ang ating lakas sa likod ng iisang layunin, masisiguro nating wala nang muling makaaagaw ng ating kalayaan (If we will unite and put all our strength into a single objective, we can ensure that no one will snatch our freedom from us)," she said.
"Ito sana ang baunin natin sa harap ng mga krisis at hamon, ngayon at sa hinaharap: Sa pagtugon sa pandemya, sa pagkasira ng planeta, sa kahirapan at gutom at pang-aabusong dumidiin sa napakaraming Pilipino (I hope we can bring this attitude in the face of different crises and challenges today and in the future: In our pandemic response, the ruin of our planet, hunger, and abuse)," she added.
Despite this, Robredo said there are individuals that make Filipinos think that they don't stand a chance against powerful forces.
"Ito mismo ang gustong ipapaniwala sa atin ng mga kalaban ng kalayaan: Na mahina tayo. Na watak-watak tayo. Na nag-iisa tayo, at mas dapat nating pagtuonan ang indibidwal na interes kaysa sa kolektibo (This is exactly what the enemies of freedom want us to believe: That we are weak, divided, alone, and should focus on our individual interests)," she said.
However, she said no Filipino is ever alone.
"Walang Pilipinong nag-iisa. Tayo ang lakas ng ating kapwa (No Filipino is alone. We are each other's strength)," the Vice President said.
"Anuman ang tawag ng panahon, mukha mang imposible ang sitwasyon, kakayanin natin, magtatagumpay tayo, dahil iisang bayan tayo— humihirang sa iisang lupain, duyan ng magiting, hinding-hindi pasisiil (No matter the situation, even if it looks impossible, we will overcome it because we are one country celebrating one country, brave, and will not be oppressed)," she added.