Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday encouraged every Filipino to be a hero especially during this COVID-19 pandemic as she called on the public to "convey the truth and condemn lies."

In her National Heroes Day message, the Vice President said the occasion reminds Filipinos that “heroism can be found beyond the gallows or the battlefield” and “every time we look at ourselves in the mirror”.

“Bawat Pilipino, puwedeng maging bayani. At ang totoo nga—lalo ngayong panahon ng krisis—bawat Pilipino, tinatawag na maging bayani. Hindi kailangang magarbo ang pagkilos; bawat hakbang, gaano man kaliit, ay kabayanihan basta nakatuon sa kapwa. Sa panahong ito, kabayanihan ang pagsisilbi sa propesyong medikal; ang pagpapabakuna; ang pagsunod sa health protocols; ang pagbabahagi ng katotohanan at pagpalag sa kasinungalingan; ang pagtulong sa nangangailangan sa abot ng makakaya (Every Filipino can be a hero. And the truth is - especially during this period of crisis – every Filipino is being called to become a hero. Our actions need not be flamboyant; each step however small, is a form of heroism as it is meant for others. It is heroic to serve in the medical profession; to get vaccinated; to obey health protocols; to convey truth and condemn lies; to help those in need as much as we can),” Robredo said.

The occasion, according to the Vice President, recognizes the heroism, sacrifice and greatness not just of the known heroes of our generation but also all those who have offered their lives for the country.

“Di man naitala ng kasaysayan ang kanilang pangalan at pinanggalingan, nabubuhay sa atin ang kanilang pinangarap at pinaghirapan: Isang bansang mas ligtas, mas malaya, mas makatao (Their names and origin may not have been recorded in history, their dreams and hardships live with us: One country that is safer, more free and more humane), she said.

She noted that the potential for heroism among Filipinos is deeply ingrained, “a legacy left behind by those who came before us.”

“Sa bahay, sa eskwelahan, sa opisina, sa ating mga komunidad, tinatawag tayong maging bayani— sa bawat pagkakataon, sa ating sariling paraan. Saksi ang kasaysayan: Lahi tayo ng mga bayani (At home, in school, in the office, in our community, we are being called to be heroes – at every opportunity, in our own ways. History bears witness that we are a race of heroes),” the vice president said.