By Chito A. Chavez Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday hailed “the resilience and heroism of the Filipino people which has led to our emancipation from more than 300 years of Spanish colonization’’ as the nation marked its 122nd Independence Day. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “The DILG joins the Filipino people as we, again, look back at our glorious past to celebrate the momentous Philippine Independence Day, now on its 122nd year,’’ Año said. But Año noted that Filipinos are now faced with another stiff challenge as their resilience is being tested anew “as we battle COVID-19, an invisible adversary that is gripping the entire world.’’ With the same passion and courage demonstrated by our forebears and heroes, Año called on the Filipino people “to stand up and contribute our efforts to defeat COVID-19 and protect our communities, our neighbours, and our families from this disease.’’ “We are asked to act in unity, just like the revolutionary movement of previous generations, to attain our freedom from this pandemic,’’ he added. Año said “that celebrating this day does not mean we disregard the guidelines set by the government to defeat COVID-19.’’ He urged the people to commemorate the country’s Independence Day “by fighting for our liberation from this disease, by cooperating with the government, and living with personal discipline.’’ “Our Independence Day is an opportune time for us to prove to our heroes that we are worth their sacrifices as we work together with the same fervor and commitment to free our country from the shackles of this disease,’’ Año said.