Filipinos urged to be a hero like Andres Bonifacio

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte called on Filipinos to emulate the heroism of Andres Bonifacio and use his bravery as a “guiding post” in overcoming the nation’s challenges.

In a speech commemorating Bonifacio’s 158th birth anniversary, Duterte said the public should emulate the hero’s “strong sense of civic duty, courage and love of country in our daily lives, even in the simplest ways.”

“The bravery and patriotism of Gat Andres Bonifacio and many of our forebears who fought against foreign dominators must serve as our guiding post in beating the odds that hinder our progress as a people and as a nation,” the president said.

“I invite every Filipino to become a hero like Bonifacio by participating actively in our nation-building efforts, especially in those challenging times when we have to secure our nation’s health, safety, and wellness,” he added.

In a ceremony held at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City, Duterte conferred posthumously the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Magalong to Bonifacio. The hero’s great granddaughter received the award.

Stand up vs injustices

Vice President Leni Robredo said Filipinos should be like the Father of the Philippine Revolution and take a stand against injustices.

“Tumindig si Bonifacio, at nagsilbi itong inspirasyon sa pagtindig ng marami pang iba. Nagsisilbi siyang inspirasyon hanggang sa ngayon: Binabalikan natin ang kanyang halimbawa sa tuwing kailangan nating itaya ang lahat sa ngalan ng katarungan at makataong lipunan,” the presidential candidate for next year’s polls said.

(Bonifacio stood up and this served as inspiration to others to stand up as well. Bonifacio is still an inspiration until now: We remember his example every time we need to do things in the name of a just and humane society.)

“Dala ni Bonifacio ang diwa ng laylayang pumapalag sa pang-aabuso ng makakapangyarihang interes,” Robredo added.

(Bonifacio carries the spirit of the marginalized who resist against powerful interests.)

In a speech delivered on Bonifacio Day, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, also a presidential aspirant, emphasized the importance of the young people's voices in the 2022 elections.

“Sa ating kabataan ngayon, lalo’t higit pang maraming kabataan sa ating populasyon, ang pinakamalaking porsyento ng pipili ng lider ng kanya kanyang lungsod, probinsya at ating bansa, tayo’y magmuni-muni at wag makalimot sa mga nagdaan,” he said.

(To the youth, especially since there are a lot of young people in our population, the biggest percentage of people who will chose the next leaders of our cities, provinces and our country, let us reflect and not forget the past.) — Gaea Katreena Cabico