DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, representing her father President Rodrigo Duterte, led Sunday, December 30, the commemorative rites for the 122nd anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal's martyrdom.

At the Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo called for the need for "equally courageous and principled Filipinos, stripped of apathy and selfishness, to become modern-day heroes to sustain our fight for freedom from all the ills of society."

"Jose Rizal’s martyrdom should propel us to rise to the challenge of the times and unchain ourselves from our stupor of indifference and race to the finish line of genuine change and prosperity," he said.

Panelo said Rizal's influence remains relevant as it was 122 years ago.

"As we commemorate the anniversary of his death, we ask our people, the youth in particular, to take inspiration from Rizal’s life story and emulate the principles that made him the country’s greatest hero, taking a leaf from one of his immortal legacies and a truism that it is a useless life that is not consecrated to a vision and fulfillment of a great ideal," he added.

President Duterte, in a message, said Rizal was a "beacon of valor and solidarity at a time when darkness, injustice and tyranny prevailed over our land."

He said Rizal's inspiring works have been instrumental in awakening the collective consciousness of the nation to foster the Filipino identity and take a stand against the nation's oppressors.

"Even in death, his example continues to encourage us as we pursue ways to address the social ills that confront us up to this day," the President's message read. (SunStar Philippines)