BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - Our nobility as a race should leave no doubts in our hearts and as Filipinos,  let us draw inspirations, courage and strength from our glorious history and nation in responding to the challenges of the new tomorrow.

These are the words of encouragement of  Emilio Aguinaldo Suntay III, the great grandson of General Emilio Aguinaldo, in his keynote message during the City Government of Baguio- led 124th Philippine Independence Day Program at the Baguio Convention Center on  June 12.

Suntay said  that aside from the COVID – 19 pandemic, there are local and international issues that are bringing challenges to the country and as far as Philippine independence is concerned, it may or  is already causing sovereign, economic and cultural threats to the nation and the Filipino people.

Suntay reminded that the hardship and sacrifices of our forbearers that fought for Philippine Independence must always be remembered, but at the same time it is equally important to ensure that we will not be going through the same war again and instead every Filipino must be do his or her  share in responding to the challenges of today and  in the future  through unity, courage, patriotism, productivity and creativity, faith and confidence, nobility, responsibility, and judiciousness.

“Let us draw inspirations, courage and strength from our glorious history and nation: Our beloved first flag; our Philippine Independence and political monuments; and our faith and nobility as a race”, Suntay stressed.

“We should always be aware of inspiration for us. Our history is there for us to be our resolves and the histories are with you now,  our young generation,  and we have so much faith and confidence in you. Be yourselves as Filipinos”, he added.

 Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Congressman Mark Go, in their respective messages, also called  for continuing unity and solidarity in reliving the heroism and patriotism of our ancestors and ensuring that the Philippines  remains a sovereign nation that is ready to face any challenge that this present time and tomorrow may bring.

“Sa dakilang araw na ito, Kalayaan 2022, ay ang sinag ng araw ng pagbibigay liwanag upang tanglawan ang daan tungo sa pagkaka-isa at paghilom ng buong bayan at ng bawat Pilipino. Sa ating patuloy na pagkakaisa, atin pang bigyan lakas at harapin ang anu mang matinding hamon sa ating lahi. Maging handa tayo anu man ang panahon upang makayanan malagpasan ang mga pagkakataong hindi maiiwasan”, Magalong said.

“As we celebrate anew our Independence Day,  I implore everyone to revisit what heroism, patriotism and being a Filipino really mean. For being a Filipino is not only a citizenship or nationality,  it is a way of life. Muli sa ika-124 na pagdiriwang ng ating kalayaan at kasarinlan, alalahanin po natin ang tunay na pagmamahal na binigay sa atin ng ating mga kababayan noong 1898. Ipagpatuloy natin ang pagtulong natin sa ating bansa, sa ating siyudad at sa buong lipunan," Go stressed. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)