Photo from www.gov.ph/bonifacio-150/
MANILA, Philippines—Annually, a national holiday commemorating the birth Andres Bonifacio is being observed. But for this year, President Benigno Aquino III made “honor and heroism” synonymous to the leader of the Philippine revolution
Aquino on Saturday remembered the 150th birth anniversary of the “father of the Philippine revolution” at the Andres Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, noting the hero’s representation of ordinary Filipino people who are innately ready to “respond to the call of times and any challenge.”
The “courage and nationalism displayed by Filipinos from different sectors” who helped their fellowmen devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) was likened by Aquino to the “heroism and dedication of Filipinos” who fought the Spanish regime during the 1896 revolution.
With the theme “Bonifacio: Honor and Heroism” on the hero’s sesquicentennial birthday, Aquino urged the public to promote volunteerism among themselves and others.
Citing his speech, a government release said that Aquino lauded soldiers, policemen, firemen, nurses and doctors who risked their lives to help, showing their deep sense of nationalism.
“Kung mapapansin, sila ang kumakatawan sa karaniwang Pilipino—nakayapak, nakarolyo ang manggas, at hitik sa pawis ang mga bisig—sila ang tumugon sa panawagan ng Inang Bayan upang magkaisa at maghatid ng makabuluhang pagbabago sa bansa,” the President said.
“Hindi nalalayo sa bantayog na ito ang mga Pilipinong tumindig at nag-alay ng kanilang bisig para sa kapwa nitong nagdaang bagyo,” he said.
Noting Bonifacio’s heroism despite his ordinariness, Aquino recalled how Bonifacio provided for his family at a young age, organized the Katipunan, the Philippine revolutionary group that fought the Spanish colonizers and inspired his people to topple down colonialism.
Joining the President Saturday were Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, Philippine National Police chief Director General Allan Purisima, Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Maria Serena Diokno, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan and Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice.
The Palace also launched a special commemoration section for Bonifacio in the official government website, featuring a timelapse montage of Bonifacio’s monument in Caloocan
“We also commemorate the 80th anniversary of the unveiling of one of the country’s most enduring landmarks, one of the nation’s most impressive works of art—a fitting tribute to the man known as the father of the Philippine Revolution,” said in the website.
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