BONIFACIO AT 150 The Philippine flag flutters in the wind at the monument of Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan City as the nation celebrates the 150th birth anniversary Friday of the Father of the Philippine Revolution. A proposal has gone up in Congress that would designate the leader of the Katipunan as national hero in place of Jose Rizal. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday hailed the modern-day heroism of Filipinos as he paid homage to Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution.
Leading the official commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Bonifacio in Caloocan City, Mr. Aquino likened the heroism and dedication of Filipinos who fought Spain in a revolution that began in 1896 to the 鈥渃ourage and nationalism鈥� shown by Filipinos in reaching out to victims of Supertyphoon 鈥淵olanda鈥� (international name: 鈥淗aiyan鈥�).
The President also renewed his call for national unity, asking Filipinos to help propel the country鈥檚 economic resurgence and continue the 鈥渇ight for a meaningful future鈥� for all.
This year鈥檚 sesquicentennial celebration had the theme, 鈥淏onifacio: Honor and Heroism.鈥�
At the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City with Mr. Aquino were Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Police Chief Allan Purisima, Metropolitan Manila Chair Francis Tolentino, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chair Maria Serena Diokno, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan and Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice.
Speaking under the shadow of the Guillermo Tolentino masterpiece, the President said the monument represented the ordinary people who were ready to respond to the call of the times and daunting challenges.
He recalled that Bonifacio led ordinary Filipinos who had 鈥渞esponded to the call of the motherland to unite and bring meaningful change to the country.鈥�
鈥淣ot far from this monument are those Filipinos who made a stand and offered a helping hand to their fellowmen following the recent typhoon,鈥� Mr. Aquino said.
听
Sense of nationalism
Bonifacio鈥檚 sesquicentennial marked the 鈥渄ay to also recognize the heroism鈥� of soldiers, policemen, firemen, nurses, doctors and civilian volunteers, here and abroad, 鈥渨ho extended a helping hand to Filipinos affected by the typhoon,鈥� he said.
At times that the country has been facing difficult challenges, many have shown their deep sense of nationalism, he said.
鈥淛ust like Andres Bonifacio, every Flipino is given a chance to become a hero. The call of the times requires heroism in facing up to trials in which self-restraint, patience and strong will and courage [are needed],鈥� he said.
鈥淭his is the essence of heroism: [Filipinos from all walks of life are heroes] who are united in displaying concern [for their fellowmen], [making a principled stand and [observing] nationalism,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e have shown that [heroism] is not just a word, or a concept carved out in stone, but truly etched on [the] Filipino identity,鈥� he said.
Mr. Aquino recalled that Bonifacio represented the bravery and determination of ordinary Filipinos as he guided his family at a young age, organized the revolutionary movement Katipunan and encouraged his people to fight colonialism.
听
Premium on preparedness
The President said he believed Filipinos could learn from Bonifacio鈥檚 example by putting premium on preparedness for any calamity, and by helping fellow Filipinos fight poverty and encourage volunteerism.
鈥淔or as long as Andres Bonifacio鈥檚 monument stands [and] while we have a flag that proudly flies in the sky 鈥� we鈥檒l continue the fight for a meaningful future for the whole nation,鈥� the President said.
RELATED STORIES:
Bonifacio pushed as national hero
In the Know: We have no 鈥榥ational hero鈥�