MANILA, Philippines — On Independence Day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lamented that not many of today’s youth are not aware of the history of GomBurZa.
GomBurZa — a shorthand for the names of martyred priests Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora— was among those lauded by Marcos in his Independence Day speech in Luneta Park.
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“Nakakalungkot isipin na marami sa mga kabataan ngayon ang hindi kilala ang GomBurZa. Nakalimot na sila sa lahat ng pinagdaanan ng ating bansa upang magkaroon ng kasarinlan,” said Marcos.
(It is sad to think that many of today’s youth do not know who GomBurZa is. They have forgotten what our country went through to gain autonomy.)
According to Marcos, GomBurZa served as the spark that ignited the nationalist movement in the Philippines.
The President recounted the country’s history leading to its independence after it fought three foreign colonizers: Spain, the United States, and Japan.
During Independence Day activities in Luneta Park, different government agencies showed off floats marking significant points in Philippine History.
“Sinisimbolo ng okasyon natin ngayon — ang Parada ng Kalayaan na masasaksihan natin maya-maya — ang ating pagsisikap na maisabuhay sa puso ng bagong Pilipinong narito ngayon, ang tunay na diwa ng kabayanihan, kalayaan, at pag-asa,” said Marcos.
(This occasion symbolizes — the Parade of Freedom that we will see in a while — the effort to ingrain within the hearts of the new Filipinos here today, the true spirit of community, freedom, and hope.)