Bongbong Marcos honors athletes, OFWs, health workers as ‘modern-day heroes’

President Bongbong Marcos in one of his speaking engagements. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vows to support, prioritize and protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), health workers and athletes whom he calls the “bagong bayani” or modern-day heroes of the country.

“Ang pangarap ko ay para sa ating mga bagong bayani.  Ang pangarap ko ay mabigyan sila ng kaukulang importansya, suporta at proteksyon upang maisagawa pa nila at maipagpatuloy ang kanilang mga piniling misyon,” said Marcos in a video on his YouTube channel.

(My dream is for our new heroes. My dream is to give them due importance, support and protection so that they can carry out and continue their chosen missions.)

“Ang ating mga OFW, atleta, guro, healthcare workers, at marami pang iba ay mga bayaning magsusulong sa atin tungo sa bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

(Our OFWs, athletes, teachers, healthcare workers, and many others are heroes who will advance us towards the new Philippines.)

The said video was released to mark National Heroes Day which was celebrated on Monday.

In the video, Marcos cited the “invaluable contribution” of OFWs to the country especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hindi biro ang sakripisyo at katatagan na ipinakita nila para ilaban ang kanilang hanapbuhay sa ibang bansa,” he said.

(The sacrifice and resilience they showed to fight for their job in another country is no joke.)

He expressed excitement as he was set to meet some of these Filipinos during his state visits which started on Sunday, Sep. 4 as he traveled to Indonesia and Singapore.

Marcos also underscored the country’s athletes, praising the country’s national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas who just beat Saudi Arabia in the in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

“Ang ating mga atleta ay tinuturing mga bayani yan. Ang kanilang sakirpisyo sa pag ensayo, ang oras na ginugugol nila para mahasa ang kanilang kakayanan para lang makapagdala ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Kaya suportahan natin silang lahat,” he said.

(Our athletes are considered heroes. Their sacrifice in training, the time they spend to hone their skills just to bring honor to our country. So let’s support them all.)

He also recognized teachers and health workers for the successful conduct of in-person classes.

“Ito naman ay bunga ng kabayanihan ng ating mga guro, mga health workers, at syempre ang mga magulang,” he added.

(This is the result of the heroism of our teachers, health workers, and of course the parents.)

Marcos, however, reminded the public not to be complacent against COVID-19 — reminding everyone to continue following minimum public health protocols whether in school or in transportation.

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