MANILA, Philippines - Despite life's hardships, Filpinos must go beyond their personal limitations and overcome fear and doubt as these are the "scars of history," President Benigno Aquino III said in his speech commemorating the birth anniversary of national hero Andres Bonifacio on Friday.
Aquino said that the "new face of heroism" today is in embodying Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution, through an unyielding attitude that believes one man can bring positive change.
"Lahat tayo ay may papel na maaaring gampanan sa paghubog ng ating bayan ... Lagi nating tatandaan: lahi tayo ng mga bayani. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Bonifacio. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Rizal. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Ninoy. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng mga Pilipinong handang tumugon sa ngalan ng bandila at bayan," Aquino said.
The president urged the people not to only remember the hero for his fierce ways as a revolutionary but for his "calm" and keenness in advocating justice and righteouness.
"Sa kaniyang mga panulat, tulad ng 'Dekalogo ng Katipunan' at 'Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog,' makikilala ang boses ng hinahon at katwiran, at nagbubukas ito ng isang anggulo na malayong-malayo sa subersibo niyang katauhan," he said, adding that the good one aspires for can be achieved through temperance and proper manners.
Aquino also ushered in Bonifacio's sesquicentennial celebration set in 2013, when the hero, who died in 1897, would have celebrated his 150th year.
He said the milestone anniversary serves as a tribute to Bonifacio whose legacy in fighting for the nation's independence should serve as a reminder of present-day issues the country has to battle against.
"Kung may maituturing man tayong rehas sa nakaraang dekada, ito ay ang katiwalian at kahirapan. Subalit, dahil na rin sa ating pagkakaisa’t malasakit sa kapwa, nababaklas na rin ito sa tuwid na daan," Aquino said, segueing to mention the "straight path"--his administration's campaign motto against corruption.
"Lagi nating tatandaan: lahi tayo ng mga bayani. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Bonifacio. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Rizal. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Ninoy. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng mga Pilipinong handang tumugon sa ngalan ng bandila at bayan," he said.