P-Noy urges Filipinos: Emulate Andres Bonifacio

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino called on Filipinos yesterday  to relive the ideals of Andres Bonifacio, one of the country’s heroes who fought long and hard to leave behind a peaceful nation, filled with pride for charting its own destiny.

“May we also find in ourselves the courage to bolster our people’s progress and contribute to realizing a more equitable and harmonious tomorrow,” he said in his message on the occasion of Bonifacio Day yesterday.

He issued the Bonifacio Day message a day before he left for Paris last Sunday.

In celebrating Bonifacio Day, it is good that every year Filipinos are “reintroduced” to his greatness as among the many “who helped bequeath to us a future of freedom and dignity,” Aquino said.

“The most recent chapter in our narrative reveals the strength we inherited from our ancestors: the united force of our citizenry has positively transformed the Philippine landscape and overcome the corruption that has long afflicted our society,” he said.

“May our solidarity endure as we journey further along the daang matuwid, maximize the possibilities of our resurgence, sustain our Republic’s reform and continue our pursuit of inclusiveness and justice.”

Even as “Bonifacio remains a vital source of inspiration for Filipinos,” Aquino hoped that his example would “etch into our consciousness the responsibility we bear in advancing our country.”   

Restore Manila’s old glory

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada urged yesterday Manileños to restore Manila’s old glory on the inspiration of Bonifacio, a Manileño.

He led the celebration of the 152nd birth anniversary of the Father of the Philippine Revolution at his shrine near City Hall.

“With the inspiration of love for country and the legacy of courage that Gat Andres left behind to our city and to our nation, I am certain that we can all unite and work even harder to restore Manila’s former glory,” he said. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Non Alquitran