SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday morning exhorted Filipinos to honor Gat Andres Bonifacio and other heroes of the country by contributing their share to nation-building.

Romualdez made the plea as he joined President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the commemoration of the 159th Birth Anniversary of Bonifacio themed “Araw ni Bonifacio 2022: Kabayanihan at Pagtindig sa Makabagong Panahon.”

“We honor the sacrifices of our heroes by performing our respective civic duties and each contribute to nation-building. And in doing so, we become the heroes of our time,” Romualdez said.

President Marcos led the wreath-laying ceremony to pay homage to Filipino hero at the Pambansang Bantayog ni Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan City.

He said the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic “has left us with many challenges to overcome.”

“And, like Bonifacio and our forebears during their time, we unite to face these difficult times together and bounce back,” Romualdez said.

The House leader added that he has no doubt that each Filipino takes to heart his sense of duty to help and support his country, his community and his family.

“Bonifacio’s ideals are in all of us, and patriotism runs in the blood of every Filipino. Love of country is an innate trait we all share, and this manifests in how we protect our families, our communities and our way of life,” Romualdez stressed.

He pointed out that the nation remembers and honors the life of “our hero Andres Bonifacio who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave up his life fighting for the freedom we all enjoy to this day.”

“His courage and bravery inspired a national movement that would lead our beloved country to independence, sparking a revolution that would unite our forebears and galvanize their resolve to break free from the shackles of foreign dominion,” Romualdez added.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco