Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan (Rep. Yamsuan’s Facebook)

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is urging the Filipino youth to be “safekeepers” of the valuable lessons from the country’s storied past.

In his speech before fellow Knights of Columbus members during the organization’s recent Independence Day celebration, Yamsuan said today’s generation should serve as the beacon in helping others tread the path towards a bright future.

“Sa ating pagdiriwang ngayong araw at pag-alala sa ating kasaysayan, sana ay alalahanin din natin ang mga aral ng nakaraan. Hindi dapat natatapos ang selebrasyong ito sa ‘pag-alala’ lamang, kundi dapat ay magsilbing isang buhay na prinsipyo ang diwa ng araw na ito sa atin,” the lawmaker said.

(In our celebration today and in remembering our history, I hope that we will also remember the lessons of the past. This celebration should not end by just simply ‘commemorating’ it, but the spirit of this day should serve as a living principle for all of us.)

He stressed that Filipinos must rekindle their “Bayanihan” spirit in order to free the nation from the shackles of hunger and poverty.

Being free from these restraints that continue to suppress the country’s full potential for development would ensure that every Filipino always gets to choose the Philippines in any challenge that comes across their way, he said.

“Dahil sa tapang ng ating mga bayani, nakalaya tayo mula sa mga mapang-aping kolonisador. Sina Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, at iba pang mga bayani ay nag-alay ng kanilang sarili para sa bayan,” noted Yamsuan.

(Because of the courage of our heroes, we were freed from the oppressive colonizers. Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, and other heroes sacrificed themselves for the country.)

“Pero hindi po dapat doon natatapos ang ating pagpupursigi upang makamit ang tunay na kalayaan,” the solon emphasized.

(But our efforts to achieve true independence should not end there.)

Amid all the challenges confronting the country, Yamsuan trumpeted that cooperation and the heartfelt desire to serve the people will ultimately be the answer.

“Gawin po natin ito para sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan at ng ating mga anak (Let's do this for the future of our country and our children),” he added.

He also reiterated his call to “make good governance viral” to ensure that Filipinos get the government they deserve.