ON NATIONAL Heroes Day, August 28, Vice President Sara Duterte called upon Filipinos to recognize their potential for heroism.
She encouraged everyone to cultivate fearlessness and selflessness within themselves, fostering unity to overcome present challenges and achieve the nation's aspirations.
"As Filipinos, we should find the heroes within us — carve a soul that is fearless, a soul that is selfless — and forge a unity that will allow us to overcome the challenges of the present day and enable us to achieve our aspirations for our country," she said in a statement.
Duterte underscored the importance of recalling the sacrifices of historical figures like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat, Juan Luna, Melchora Aquino, and Gabriela Silang, whose courage and love for the country ignited the Philippine Revolution in 1896.
Duterte, also the Education Secretary, urged the public to remember the heroism of Lapulapu, "which resulted in the death of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521."
"The heroism of Datu Lapulapu foreshadowed the revolution that ended the 333-year Spanish rule of the Philippines," the vice president said. "It was a triumph in the pre-colonial Philippines that showed that we are a race of people who are selfless and fearless in the face of adversities — and a people deeply connected by a strong sense of unity," she added.
She stressed that these heroes aren't just names from the past; they reside within every Filipino.
Duterte attended the National Heroes Day celebration at the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, where she offered flowers at the monument of Lapulapu, the country's first hero.
In her Facebook post, Duterte expressed her hope that the sacrifices of the nation's heroes would inspire a new generation of Filipinos who are fearless, selfless, and united in their love for the country.
Also present during the event were Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan and Lone District Representative Cindi Chan. RGL