MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday (30 Nov 2024) urged Filipinos to honor the legacy of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio by helping liberate the Philippines from the “ills of society.”

In his message for Bonifacio’s 161st birth anniversary, Marcos emphasized the nation’s debt of gratitude to the revolutionary leader for awakening Filipino nationalism and inspiring self-determination.

“Gat Andres may have been long gone, but his fight carries on. His courage, selflessness, and determination continue to inspire us all to strive for greatness in our shared task of nation-building,” Marcos said.

“Let us honor his memory by finding a deeper meaning in his sacrifice and doing our part in liberating our country from the shackles of hunger, corruption, criminality, and other ills of society.”

The President highlighted Bonifacio’s heroism, noting how his courage fueled the Philippine Revolution, uniting Filipinos and inspiring many to sacrifice their lives for the cause of independence.

He expressed optimism that under his administration, Filipinos would stand united in achieving genuine peace and progress under the banner of the “New Philippines.”

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us remember the legacy of sacrifice that he and our forebears have demonstrated,” Marcos said. “With patriotism, discipline, and love for one another as our guide, let us build a better Bagong Pilipinas where every Filipino lives in genuine peace, progress, and harmony.”

Bonifacio, dubbed the “Father of the Philippine Revolution,” was born in Tondo, Manila, on Nov. 30, 1863. Unlike other national heroes, he is remembered on his birth anniversary as he was executed by fellow Filipinos rather than Spanish colonizers.

A co-founder of the Katipunan in 1892, Bonifacio played a pivotal role in the fight for Philippine independence. Despite being replaced as the Katipunan’s Supremo by Emilio Aguinaldo in 1897 and later executed on charges of treason, his leadership and vision remain integral to the country’s history.

The Katipunan’s revolutionary efforts ultimately led to Philippine independence from Spain in 1898.

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