As the nation observes the 160th birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio on Thursday, Nov. 30, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza called on Filipinos to follow the example of the Father of the Philippine Revolution.

Bishop Alminaza cited not only Bonifacio’s love for country but also his concern for the poor.

“Perhaps it is no coincidence that the Catholic Church’s celebration of World Day of the Poor falls on the same month when we commemorate the birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio. For this year, Pope Francis chose the theme ‘Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor,’ a passage taken from the Book of Tobit. Indeed, Bonifacio exemplified the true instinct of the majority of the masses who are poor,” the Church leader said over Radio Veritas.

“Following the life and example of Bonifacio, we are admonished to encounter the poor in our midst. We are called to draw near the poor, to meet their gaze, to embrace them and be in solidarity with them in their struggle for decent jobs, security of tenure, and dignified labor. Bonifacio and the Katipunan’s struggle were fueled by their articulation of the true conditions and aspirations of the masses,” Bishop Alaminaza added.

The bishop, who also serves as national chairman of the Church Workers Solidarity said, Bonifacio also experienced the hardships faced by the masses including low wages, insufficient benefits and poverty.

“As we commemorate Andres Bonifacio’s 160th birth anniversary, may we be inspired to commit our life towards greater solidarity with the poor. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) reminds us that the calling of every Christian is to become personally involved for whenever we encounter a poor person, ‘we cannot look away, for that would prevent us from encountering the face of the Lord Jesus’ (Pope Francis Message, World Day of the Poor 2023),” said Bishop Alminaza.