The spirit of patriotism and nationalism are alive as President Marcos on Saturday, April 27, expressed admiration for how Filipinos are facing new challenges, including oppression, poverty, and hunger.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. leads the commemoration of the Victory at Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City on Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
In his speech during the 503rd Commemoration of the Victory of the Philippines during the battle of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, the Chief Executive said he was elated by the spirit of valor and patriotism that still prevails in the hearts of Filipinos.
“Ako’y nagagalak na ang diwang makabayan ay buhay na buhay hindi lamang dito sa Mactan, hindi lamang sa Cebu, hindi lamang sa Visayas, kundi sa buong Pilipinas (I am elated that nationalism is alive not only in Mactan, not only in Cebu, not only in Visayas, but in the Philippines),” he said.
“Ito ay nakikita sa pagtitiwala natin sa ating sariling lakas at paniniwalang nakasalalay sa ating pagpupunyagi ang pag-unlad ng ating bansa (This can be seen in how we trust our strengths and the belief that the country’s progress lies in our hard work),” he added.
While he did not mention the kind of oppression the country faces today, Marcos urged Filipinos to remain united and courageous in the face of new challenges, as well as to protect the country’s rights and sovereignty against any oppressors.
“Ngunit sa panahong ito, may mga makabagong pagsubok tayong hinaharap na ang solusyon ay hindi dahas o armas. Nangangailangan ito ng ating katapangan, ng ating pagkilos, at higit sa lahat ang ating pagkakaisa (But in during these times, there are new challenges that we must face that the solution is not violence or taking up arms. This needs courage, collective action and above all, unity),” he said.
“Ito ang kalasag natin laban sa kahirapan, ang paglaban sa ating mga sakit, sa ating gutom, sa kamangmangan, sa kawalang pag-unlad, at kasalatan ng mga oportunidad para guminhawa ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino (This is our weapon against poverty, illnesses, hunger, ignorance, the lack of progress, and the lack of opportunity for every Filipino),” he stated.
While Marcos admitted that the issues confronting the country are challenging, he also expressed his administration’s commitment to fight and take the necessary steps to address them.
“Ngunit ang mga ito ay nilalaban natin at tayo ay nagwawagi (But we are fighting and we will win),” he declared.
The President made such promises amid his administration’s continuous delivery of aid and infrastructure programs, as well as attracting foreign investments to generate more jobs for Filipinos.
Before concluding his speech, President Marcos urged Filipinos to continue what Datu Lapulapu fought for and ensure that the Bagong Pilipinas the nation is striving for will offer overflowing hope, unity, and opportunity for the next generation.
“Ipagpatuloy natin ang laban at pag-tiyak na ang Bagong Pilipinas ay umapaw ng pag-asa, pagkakaisa, at pagkakataon para sa susunod na mga henerasyon (Let us continue the fight and ensure that the New Philippines will be full of hope, unity, and opportunities for the next generations),” he said.
During the event, the Chief Executive led the wreath laying to honor Datu Lapulapu’s heroism and witness the reenactment of the Battle of Mactan.