House Speaker Martin Romualdez INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The battle fought by renowned Philippine revolution leader Andres Bonifacio is not yet over, but it can be done in the present time through non-violent means, according to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
During a speech delivered on the 125th Independence Day rites on Monday at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Romualdez called on the public to recall the lessons handed over by Bonifacio, who fought alongside other Katipunan members in an attempt to overthrow the Spanish regime.
Romualdez said that the Filipino people owe the freedom experienced today to Bonifacio and his peers. However, he clarified that the current push for equality can be achieved nonviolently.
“Napapanahon na tanungin ang ating mga sarili kung may puwang pa ba ang kabayanihan sa henerasyon natin ngayon. Kailangan bang humawak ng armas para maging bayani? Kailangan bang mamatay para sa bayan para matawag lamang na bayani? Kailangan pa bang makipaglaban kung ganap na ang kalayaan?” he asked.
(It is time to ask ourselves if there is a space for us to be heroes in this generation. Do we need to arm ourselves to be a hero? Do we need to die for our country so we can be called one? Do we need to fight for true freedom?)
“Sa ganang akin, hindi pa tapos ang laban ni Gat Andres at iba pa nating bayani. Walang ganap na kalayaan kung may naghihirap pa rin sa lupang tinubuan. Ang laban para sa kalayaan ay hindi lamang himagsikan laban sa mga mananakop. Laban din ito para wakasan ang kagutuman. Laban para maranasan ang ginhawa sa buhay. Laban para matiyak ang magandang kinabukasan,” he added.
(In my opinion, the fight of Gat Andres and our other heroes is not yet finished. There is no true freedom if people still struggle to survive within their motherland. But the fight for freedom is not only a revolt against conquerors but a fight against hunger. A battle for a more comfortable life. A fight for a better future.)
He then urged Filipinos to awaken heroism within one’s self and help in solving the country’s problems.
“Sa araw na ito, gisingin natin ang kabayanihan sa bawat isa sa atin. Maging bayani para iangat ang buhay ng pamilya. Kumilos para maging bahagi ng solusyon sa mga problema ng bayan. Maging bayani para sa bansa at para sa kapwa,” he added.
(Today, let us awaken the heroism within each of us. We can be heroes if we uplift our families lives. We can act as part of the solution to the country’s problems. We can be heroes for our country and fellow Filipinos.)
While Bonifacio did not live to see the country’s independence, the Katipunan or the Kataas-Haasan, Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (literally ‘Supreme Revered Association of the Sons of the People’) paved the way for the Philippine revolution.
READ: The death of Andres Bonifacio
Eventually, Bonifacio’s co-Katipunan member and arch-rival Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from the Spaniards on June 12, 1898. Despite this, Bonifacio has been regarded as the father of the Katipunan, with scholars noting that independence would have been delayed or set back if he and other Katipunan leaders did not start a revolt.
READ: Rizal planted seed of revolution; Bonifacio watered it
While Romualdez was the guest at the celebrations at the Bonifacio Monument, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other members of the first family graced the ceremonies at the Rizal Park and Quirino Grandstand.
In his speech, Marcos said that the country should never be subservient to an external force again. He also called for unity again — his well-known catchphrase during the 2022 national elections — as the fight for freedom continues.
READ: Marcos seeks unity on Independence Day: ‘We have a long journey ahead’