President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., together with Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan, led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Andres Bonifacio National Monument in commemoration of the 159th birth anniversary of the Father of Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio on Wednesday, November 30.
In his speech, Mayor Along highlighted Bonifacio’s courage and undying love for the nation and its people. Likewise, he called on his fellow Filipinos to unite and help one another amid the crisis of the modern times.
“Makasaysayan ang ating lungsod dahil nagsilbi itong kanlungan ng ating mga kababayang lumaban upang makamit ang Kalayaan, isa na rito si Gat Andres Bonifacio na nagpasiklab ng rebolusyon laban sa mga mananakop na dayuhan,” he said.
“Mapalad po tayo, dahil sa ating mga bayani, tinatamasa natin ang tamis ng kalayaan. Kaya naman ngayong makabagong panahon, tayo’y tumindig at pairalin ang kabayanihan sa ating kapwa tungo sa pagbuo ng mas maunlad na lungsod at bansa para sa mga susunod pang henerasyon,” the Mayor said.
Meanwhile, President Bongbong Marcos encouraged the citizens to recognize and honor the sacrifices of Filipinos to ensure lasting peace and freedom as a nation.
“Hinihikayat ko ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino na patuloy na parangalan ang mga bayaning Pilipino na nag-alay ng buhay upang siguruhing na payapa at malaya ang ating sambayanan,” the President said.
Moreover, he stated he believes that every Filipino can be a hero in their own way with kindness and devotion to the country’s aspirations.
“Bawat isa sa atin ay may angking kakayahan upang gumawa ng kabutihan sa ating lipunan, bawat isa’y may kakayanang maging bayani sa ating sariling pamamaraan. Nawa’y maging halimbawa si Bonifacio at iba pang mga bayani sa katuparan ng ating mga hangarin. Mabuhay si Gat Andres Bonifacio. Mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino,” Pres. Marcos Jr. stated.
Present also during the said event were Sen. Robin Padilla, Sen. Win Gatchalian, Sen. Manuel Lapid, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, District 1 Representative Oscar G. Malapitan, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Rene Escalante, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, representatives of foreign dignitaries and members of civic and non-government organizations.