In remembering the 160th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, President Marcos on Thursday, Nov. 30, said he sees a modern Bonifacio in every Filipino worker as he urged them to serve the country and contribute in its economic, social, and cultural progress.
Bonifacio Shrine in Manila
In a message read by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the Chief Executive underscored how Bonifacio also symbolizes the ordinary Filipino worker, who, like him, also had to stop studying to support their families and stand up for their principles.
“Sa madaling salita, si Andres Bonifacio ay isang ordinaryong Filipino na nangarap at nagpamalas ng kakaibang giting, katatagan, at pamumuno sa oras ng matinding pangangailangan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit taun-taon nagbibigay-pugay tayo sa kanya at sa iba pang mga mamamayang nagbuwis ng buhay para sa bayan (In short, Andres Bonifacio is an ordinary Filipino who dreamed and shared his bravery, stability, and leadership at a time of great need. This is the reason why every year, we commemorate him and the others who gave up their lives for the nation),” the official said.
“Bukod dito, inaanyayahan ko rin ang bawat isa na tularan ang kanyang kabayanihan at pagmamahal sa bayan, at ipakita ang mga ito sa ating pang-araw-araw na gawain (Aside from this, I enjoin each and every one of you to emulate his heroism and love for country, and show this in our everyday work).”
Marcos was supposed to attend the Conference of Parties for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, but he suddenly had to cancel his trip to facilitate a meeting for the 17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Yemeni rebels in the Red Sea.
In his message, the Chief Executive called on Filipinos to serve as an inspiration to others by serving with excellence and courage.
“Nakikita na natin ang kabayanihang ito sa ating mga makabagong bayani (We can see this heroism in our modern heroes),” he said, giving due recognition to nurses, doctors, teachers, police, the military, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Silang lahat ay nagbibigay-buhay at saysay sa pag-usbong ng ating bayan (All of them give life and meaning to the progress of our nation),” Marcos added.
“Gaya nila, maaari nating ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan ni Gat Andres Bonifacio at tiyaking maipapamana natin sa mga kabataan ang tunay at wagas na pagmamahal sa bayan tulad ng kanyang ipinamalas (Like them, we can also continue what Gat Andres Bonifacio has started and make sure that we will pass on to our countrymen the true and pure love for country like what he showed).”
Quoting Bonifacio’s poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa,” the President called on Filipinos to join the work for nation-building.
“Lahat ay dapat makilahok sa mga gawaing magpapayabong ng ating kultura, ekonomiya, at lipunan, lalo na ngayon na sinisikap nating maitaguyod ang isang Bagong Pilipinas (Everyone should join in the work to improve our culture, economy, and society, especially now that we are trying to build a new Bagong Pilipinas),” Marcos said.
He added that as gratitude to Bonifacio, Filipinos should also give importance and protect the freedom that heroes sacrificed their lives for.