PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recognized on Monday, August 28, 2023, the noble contributions of late Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople as well as the other modern day heroes such as farmers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and teachers.
In his speech during the commemorative ceremony for the country's celebration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, Marcos side Ople is a perfect example of a true hero as she dedicated her life in promoting the welfare of the Filipinos who work abroad in order to give their families a better life.
“We must mention a dear and departed friend who we can only describe as well as a hero and that is our good friend who we just lost, Secretary Toots Ople. And she is a perfect example of what true heroism can be. She tirelessly dedicated the better part of her life to promote the welfare of our modern-day heroes,” he said.
Ople died on August 22 at the age of 61.
She lied in state in Malacañang on Monday morning and a necrological service was held, attended by Marcos and several cabinet and government officials.
Marcos tearfully remembered Ople’s life and her contribution to the nation. He earlier said the Ople’s sudden demise is a big loss to the country.
“Sana maunawaan niyo, kung tumulo ang luha ko, dahil napakamalaking nawala sa atin. Napakalaki ang nawala sa akin, sa inyong lahat, at sa bansang Pilipinas,” he said.
Marcos said that upon learning about Ople’s battle with breast cancer, he hoped for a miracle.
Upon learning she had died, he thought that the miracle was not granted but he later realized that Ople herself was the miracle.
Marcos said Ople can never be replaced.
Ople was the first Secretary of the newly-established DMW tasked to ensure the protection of OFWs; promotion of their interests; the timely and effective resolution of their problems and concerns; and their effective reintegration into Philippine society.
She is the youngest daughter of late Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople and the founder of the Blas Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a non-profit organization assisting distressed Overseas Filipino Workers.
Marcos also recognized the heroism of an electric lineman from Bacolod City, who braved typhoon Egay floods and risked his life to repair broken electrical wires to prevent the greater danger of electrocution as well as a farmer who prevailed over harsh weather and economic conditions to ensure a successful harvest.
The President also acknowledged the heroic act of a teacher who strives not only to be a good teacher but also to be a patient and persevering multi-tasker in various activities.
He also mentioned a teacher who lent a hand to an elderly neighbor in need during the massive wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.
As of Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said a total of four Filipinos were killed in the ghastly wildfires.
Marcos also acknowledged the OFWs, whose remittances continue to serve as a strong pillar of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) amid the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
He urged Filipinos not to forget and to continue to tell the world the tales of their heroic deeds with genuine appreciation and of promise to emulate their actions and do better.
“We shall not take their heroism for granted. We will not spare ourselves of the moral duty to perpetuate the ideals that they have fought for, and to rectify the unsafe, inequitable, or exceptionally difficult conditions that necessitated their selfless deeds,” Marcos said.
“Failing in our duty, their sacrifices would have been all in vain. Collectively, their heroic acts, small or large, go a long way and make our country and the world a better place. To them, we once again earnestly dedicate this special day,” he added.
In a separate message, Marcos said that heroism is not limited to the Herculean but also through honest, earnest and compassionate living.
“I enjoin every Filipino across the globe to celebrate with a renewed understanding and sense of pride for the fortitude that is naturally abundant in our hearts as a people,” he said.
“As we recognize our forebears whose uncelebrated legacies our society is built on, let us also realize our own power to become heroes for our families and communities. May this consciousness then ignite us to be dedicated in our agenda of creating a new Philippines that is strong, prosperous, resilient, and secure for present and future generations,” he added.(SunStar Philippines)