Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 30) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. honored the country’s “modern-day heroes,” including medical frontliners and uniformed personnel, on the 160th birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio.
“Inaanyayahan ko rin ang bawat isa na tularan ang kaniyang kabayanihan at pagmamahal sa bayan, at ipakita ang mga ito sa ating pang-araw-araw na gawain,” Marcos said in a speech delivered by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
[Translation: I’m encouraging each and every one to emulate his heroism and love for the country, and show them in daily activities.]
Government officials commemorated Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City on Thursday.
Bersamin represented the chief executive during the event. Marcos, who was supposed to fly to Dubai today, canceled his trip following developments involving the 17 hostaged Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea.
In the speech, Marcos said he could already “see Bonifacio’s heroism in the dedication and the love for the country of the Filipino workers,” including teachers, medical, police and military officers, and overseas Filipino workers.
He earlier moved Bonifacio Day to Nov. 27, declaring it as a non-working holiday.
Groups staged protests to air their grievances on labor issues facing Filipino workers.
