President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is confident that the Philippines can overcome the challenges it is facing because of the Filipino people's intellect and ability to stand on their feet.
Marcos said this as the country commemorated its 124th Independence Day on Sunday, June 12.
In his vlog uploaded to his YouTube channel on Sunday, Marcos Jr. said the qualities that the country's heroes exhibited over a century ago are the same ones that will help Filipinos be freed from the challenges facing the country.
"Kalayaan mula sa mananakop, mula sa epekto ng pandemya, o kaya'y mula sa pagkawatak-watak. Ang mga katangiang kailangan upang makabangon at maging matagumpay ay likas na sa ating dugo (Freedom from conquerors, the pandemic, and divisiveness. The traits we need to successfully recover are already in our blood)," he said.
"Talino, galing, kagitingan, at higit sa lahat, ang pagmamahal sa ating sariling Pilipinas ang siyang pundasyon ng ating kalayaan mula noon hanggang ngayon (Intellect, ability, courage, and most of all, the love for our country are the foundation of our freedom from then until now)," he added.
The President-elect particularly mentioned the country's liberation from the threats of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
He assured the public that he and his economic team were already thinking of ways to help affected sectors recover from the effects of the health crisis.
"Ang kapakanan ng ating mga manggagawa, ng ating mga maliliit na negosyo, ang iba't iba pang mga sektor na hanggang ngayon hindi pa nakakabalik sa normal, 'yan ang patuloy pa naming tinatalakay kasama ng lahat ng pinakamagagaling na eksperto na ating makakausap (The welfare of our workers, small businesses, and sectors that are yet to return to normal, that is what we and the experts are discussing)," Marcos Jr. said.
Aside from this, Marcos Jr. is elated that many countries, particularly those from Southeast Asia, have pledged to help the Philippines recover from the pandemic.
"Mahalaga ang naging ugnayang binubuo ng grupo na ito para maprotektahan ang ating kapayapaan at katahimikan sa rehiyon, at ang kalakalan o trade at iba pang mga interes na makakabuti sa ating bansa (Our communication is important to protect the peace in the region, along with trade and other interests that will benefit our country)," he said.
On the other hand, the former Senator said he aspires that the Philippines be freed from backward, judgmental, and destructive thinking that brought anger, disgust, and division among Filipinos.
"Cancel culture man ito, discrimination, mga bayolenteng hate crime, lahat 'yan ay hindi na katanggap-tanggap sa ating makabagong panahon. Lahat 'yan ay nakakasakit sa ating lipunan at nakakapagbagal ng ating pagbangon at pag-unlad. (Whether it's cancel culture, discrimination, or violent hate crimes, those are no longer acceptable in the modern world. All of these hurt the society and slow down our recovery and development)," Marcos Jr. said.
"Sana ay huwag tayong magpasakop sa ganitong pag-iisip. Palawigin ang ating pagrespeto, pagtanggap, at pag-unawa sa isa't isa (I hope we will not let ourselves be taken over by this thinking. Enrich our respect, acceptance, and understanding for one another)," he added.