President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday paid tribute to the country’s national heroes, honoring their sacrifices and legacy as the nation marked the 127th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
President Marcos recalled the first time the Philippine flag was hoisted in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898, which signified the declaration of Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule.
“Ngunit bago pa man dumating ang araw na iyon, maraming buhay ang naialay, pamilyang nagkawalay at kinabukasang nasira makamit lang ang kasarinlan,” President Marcos said in his speech during the “Ika-127 Anibersaryo ng Proklamasyon ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas at Parada ng Kalayaan 2025,” held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
The President said the Republic of the Philippines was built on the hard-won sacrifices of its heroes who laid the foundation for the nation’s independence.
“Sina Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Padre Gomez, Padre Burgos, Padre Zamora, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Emilio Aguinaldo, Melchora Aquino, at libo-libong bayaning Pilipino na hindi napapangalanan,” President Marcos said.
“Sila ang mga Pilipinong nag-alay ng pawis, dugo, at pangarap upang makamtan natin ang kalayaang ating tinatamasa,” the President added.
The President said as an independent republic, the Philippines faced many global challenges which played a crucial role in strengthening the nation and fostering unity.
“Sa batang edad ng kasaysayan ng ating bansa, hinarap natin ang hamon ng digmaang pandaigdig, ang krisis sa langis, ang globalisasyon. Sa harap ng mga hamon na ito, unti-unting lumakas at naging isa ang ating bansa. Pinagtibay ng apoy, ng sakripisyo, at ng luha,” President Marcos said. | PND
