President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is hoping that Jose Rizal will serve as an inspiration for the Filipino people to ensure and protect the liberty of the country.
In a statement on Rizal Day, Marcos cited Rizal's efforts to set the country free from the colonizers "despite the threat of persecution."
He said "Rizal helped enlighten Filipinos about the injustice, corruption and oppression they suffered at the hands of their colonizers" by doing this "unflinchingly, not through a violent uprising but through a peaceful protest using the power of the pen."
So, the President called on the Filipino people to continue to embody the virtues of excellence, patriotism and perseverance that Rizal demonstrated throughout his life.
“May Rizal’s determination to achieve real changes empower the Filipinos today to become vigilant of the social ills that may threaten our liberty,” Marcos said.
"May he continue to become a role model to all of us who aspire to impart our knowledge and dedicate our abilities to the betterment of society," he added.
Marcos made the pronouncement before leading a wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Park on Friday to commemorate Rizal's 126th death anniversary.
The President then urged Filipinos to reflect "on the kind of life that we want to live" because after all, "true heroism does not only mean offering your life for your country, but also fighting your own silent battles" for successful future generations.
During the event, Marcos was joined by National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Dr. Rene R. Escalante and the Rizal Day Technical Working Committee members; members of the diplomatic corps; representatives from national and local government offices; non-government organizations; and the descendants of Rizal.
The Jose Rizal martyrdom commemoration carried the theme, “Rizal: Alaalang Iningatan, Yaman Ngayon ng Bayan.”
Rizal, the Philippine national hero, was a Filipino nationalist and writer who advocated political reforms in the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule.
A key member of the Propaganda Movement, Rizal was executed by Spanish authorities for rebellion after the Philippine revolution broke out mainly inspired by his writings.