President Marcos Jr. took the opportunity to exhort all Filipinos, especially the youth, about the importance and relevance of patriotism in his speech during the 503rd Commemoration of the Victory of the Philippines during the Battle of Mactan in Lapu-lapu City on Saturday.
“Ako’y nagagalak na ang diwang makabayan ay buhay na buhay hindi lamang dito sa Mactan, hindi lamang sa Cebu, hindi lamang sa Visayas, kundi sa buong Pilipinas. Ito ay nakikita sa pagtitiwala natin sa ating sariling lakas at paniniwalang nakasalalay sa ating pagpupunyagi ang pag-unlad ng ating bansa,” President Marcos said.
He stressed that while patriotism is shown through love for one another, it will also protect the country’s rights and sovereignty against any oppressors.
The Chief Executive remind the nation that at this time in the nation’s history, we need unity and courage to fight oppression as inspired by the bravery of the people of Mactan in the past.
“Ngunit sa panahong ito, may mga makabagong pagsubok tayong hinaharap na ang solusyon ay hindi dahas o armas. Nangangailangan ito ng ating katapangan, ng ating pagkilos, at higit sa lahat ang ating pagkakaisa,” he said.
“Ito ang kalasag natin laban sa kahirapan, ang paglaban sa ating mga sakit, sa ating gutom, sa kamangmangan, sa kawalang pag-unlad, at kasalatan ng mga oportunidad para guminhawa ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he further stated.
The President admitted that combating the nation’s problems was never easy but his administration remained committed to fight and take necessary measures to address them.
President Marcos asserted triumph as various successful government programs and initiatives were done including the establishment of beneficial and promising infrastructures such as schools and hospitals.
He urged all Filipinos to continue what Datu Lapu-lapu fought for and ensure that the Bagong Pilipinas the nation is striving for will offer overflowing hope, unity, and opportunity for the next generation.
“Ipagpatuloy natin ang laban at pag-tiyak na ang Bagong Pilipinas ay umapaw ng pag-asa, pagkakaisa, at pagkakataon para sa susunod na mga henerasyon,” he concluded.
The significance of April 27, 1521 is not just the death of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, not just the first successful stand of native Filipinos against foreign aggression, not just the planting of the seeds of Christianity in these shores. It is the fact that our ancestors’ spirit of valor, courage and heroism predated the “discovery” of the Philippines by European civilization.
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