The country can honor its heroes who fought for freedom by working together to build a progressive society.
This was the message of Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino to government leaders and residents of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, as the city marked the 159th birth anniversary of General Miguel Malvar, a hero of the Philippine Revolution.
“Dalangin ko po ang patuloy na pagsulong ng Lungsod ng Sto. Tomas at ang patuloy nitong pag-usbong bilang isang maunlad, mapayapa, at makabagong pamayanan (My prayer is to see the sustained growth of the city of Sto. Tomas, and its development as a progressive, peaceful, and modern community),” said the senator, who was the event’s guest speaker.
“Ang pag-unlad na ito ay ang inyong sukli sa kabayanihan at sakripisyo ni Heneral Miguel Malvar sa mga tala ng kasaysayan (Through progress, we honor General Miguel Malvar’s heroism and sacrifices, which are recorded in the annals of history),” he added.
Tolentino said that Malvar didn't allow his humble beginnings to deter him from making a huge contribution to the nation’s fight for independence.
He added that Malvar's exile and incarceration in Hong Kong failed to discourage the general from carrying on the struggle to liberate the nation from foreign colonizers.
“Ang paanyaya sa ating lahat sa araw na ito ay hindi lamang gunitain ang kaarawan ng dakilng bayaning si Heneral Miguel Malvar. Nararapat lamang nating balikan ang kanyang mga halimbawa at aral upang maging gabay sa makabagong pakikibaka nating lahat sa mga hamon ng kasalukuyang panahon (This day calls on us not just to recall his birthday, but to look back to the life he led and his ideals to guide us in dealing with the new challenges we face today),” he concluded.
The ceremony was highlighted by the laying of wreaths at the monument of the revolutionary general. Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Sto. Tomas Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan and Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez joined Tolentino at the event.