MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on Filipinos to not just remember the nation’s heroes but also embody their courage and keep the flame of patriotism alive.
In his message in commemoration of National Heroes’ Day, Marcos said the public must renew their “solemn duty” to carry forward the nation for which the heroes fought and sacrificed.
“Our forebears won our freedom, defended our dignity, and laid the foundations of the Republic we cherish,” he said.
“We honor them best by embodying their courage, keeping the flame of patriotism alive and becoming the citizens our country needs,” the president said.
He noted that the heroes’ spirit lives in those who choose to “serve, care, and contribute to a cause greater than oneself.”
These can be seen in soldiers and first responders who risk their lives to keep everyone safe, Marcos said.
“We recognize it in our teachers, health workers, farmers, fisherfolk and overseas Filipinos who sustain our families and communities,” he said.
“We find it in every citizen who helps a neighbor, protects the vulnerable, and works honestly for the common good,” Marcos added.
The president also hoped for Filipinos to continually prove themselves worthy of the liberty the heroes have fought for and build a country that future generations will proudly inherit.