House Speaker Martin Romualdez urged Filipinos on Monday, the 125th Philippine Independence Day, to awaken the spirit of heroism in each of them.
Romualdez made the remark in his speech during the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies held at the Bonifacio Monument Circle in Caloocan City.
“Sa araw na ito, gisingin natin ang kabayanihan sa bawat isa sa atin. Maging bayani para iangat ang buhay ng pamilya. Kumilos para maging bahagi ng solusyon sa mga problema ng bayan. Maging bayani para sa bansa at para sa kapwa natin Pilipino,” he said.
The House Speaker mentioned that the fight of the Father of the Philippine Revolution Andres Bonifacio and other national heroes is not over.
"Walang ganap na kalayaan kung naghihirap pa rin sa ating lupang tinubuan. Ang laban para sa kalayaan ay hindi lamang himagsikan laban sa mga mananakop; laban din ito para wakasan ang kagutuman, laban para maranasan ang ginhawa sa buhay, at laban para matiyak ang magandang kinabukasan," he underscored.
House Speaker @MartinRomualdez nagbigay ng mensahe sa 125th anniversary ng Philippine Independence na ginanap sa monumento ni Gat Andres Bonifacio sa Caloocan City. 📸: ofc of Speaker Romualdez @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/gGq5H4k4u7
— milky rigonan đź’‹ (@milkyrigonan) June 12, 2023
Simultaneous Independence Day rites were also conducted in several historical sites in the country.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the celebration of the 125th Independence Day at Luneta Park.
PBBM, hinamon ang mga Pilipino na panindigan ang kalayaan araw-araw, maging mahusay at may integridad | via RH14 @leth_narciso
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 12, 2023
REPORT: https://t.co/DlUV9d5wkj pic.twitter.com/68bPLP5mmW
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, meanwhile, was at Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite where he hoisted the Philippine flag.
Newly-appointed Defense Secretary Gilbert 'Gibo' Teodoro along with Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo offered a wreath in Mauseleo Delos Veteranos de la Revolucion inside the Manila North Cemetery.
Teodoro also witnessed the 21-gun salute offered by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) officers.
On the other hand, both Tourism Sec. Frasco, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the ceremonies at Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City.
Monumento ng mga bayani ng bansa, binasbasan sa Pinaglabanan Shrine sa San Juan City | via RH08 @xtian_mano
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 12, 2023
REPORT: https://t.co/DlUV9d5wkj pic.twitter.com/nZ8SwbSilX
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo was the special guest at the 125th Independence Day ceremony in Barasoain Church in Bulacan.