MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos on Wednesday to be the best kind of themselves and imitate the loyalty and love of country of Andres Bonifacio as he led the commemoration of the 159th birth anniversary of the hero from Tondo, Manila.

“Kaya naman sikapin natin na maging pinakamahusay na uri ng ating mga sarili; na maging Pilipino na ang katapatan at pagmamahal sa bayan ay kapares ng ating mga bayaning tulad ni Gat Andres,” President Marcos said in his message during the event at the Andres Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City.

“Magagawa po natin ito sapagkat katuwang natin ang ating mga makabagong bayani—ang ating mga doktor, mga nars, mga sundalo, mga pulis, OFWs, at ang bawat Juan at Juana—na buong pusong naglilingkod para sa kapwa,” the chief executive said.

Those modern-day heroes have shown that every Filipino has the ability to do good to others and society, Marcos said, noting it is one of Bonifacio’s legacies to Filipinos—that everyone can be a hero in his or her own way.

And as the country faces the challenges of modern times, the President believes that Bonifacio, other Filipino heroes and the country’s modern heroes serve as examples for the nation to attain its goals.  

“Sama-sama nating harapin ang mga hamon ng panahon ngayon nang may pagmamahal sa bayan, determinasyon, tapang, [at] karangalan upang maitaguyod natin ang isang Pilipinas na tunay na nais natin ipagmalaki,” Marcos said.

President Marcos also appealed to Filipinos to continue honoring Bonifacio and other heroes who gave their lives while fighting for the freedom and independence that the country enjoys today.

As the beneficiaries of their legacy, the President said, it is every Filipino’s obligation to ensure that what they fought for remains alive by ensuring peace, freedom and prosperity in the country.

According to Marcos, remembering Bonifacio and other Filipino heroes is important in developing national consciousness based on our country’s history, which will guide the nation toward a better future.

Joining the President in honoring Bonifacio were House Speaker Martin Romualdez, National Historical Commission Chairman Rene Escalante, members of the Senate and the Diplomatic Corps, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Philippine National Police Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, Caloocan Rep. Oscar Malapitan and Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo G. Malapitan. (PND)