Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero (Facebook)

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero has asked his fellow Filipinos to use as inspiration the heroism shown by their forebears. 

Escudero had this to say in his Independence Day message on Wednesday, June 12--his first ever as chief of the 24-member upper chamber. 

"Ang kalayaan na ating tinatamasa ngayon ay bunga ng mga sakripisyo at katapangan ng ating mga bayani. Nawa’y magsilbi itong inspirasyon sa atin upang patuloy na magsumikap para sa isang mas magandang bukas," he said. 

(The freedom that we enjoy today is the fruit of the sacrifices and courage of our heroes. May this serve as an inspiration for us to continue to strive for a better tomorrow.) 

"Sa paggunita natin sa mahalagang araw na ito, isapuso natin ang diwa ng kalayaan, hindi lamang bilang alaala kundi bilang gabay sa pagtahak sa landas ng pag-unlad at pagbabago," added the Sorsogon native. 

(In commemorating this important day, let us instill in our hearts the spirit of freedom, not only as a memory but as a guide on our path to progress and change.) 

The Philippines marked its 126th Independence Day on Wednesday.