Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday urged Filipinos to never waste the lessons of the past but use them to awaken the heroes in everyone's heart, especially the youth.
In her message for the commemoration of National Heroes Day on Monday, Aug. 29, Duterte said the country’s history is marked by Filipino ancestors who selflessly offered their lives for freedom.
"As we honor our National Heroes today, may we not only look back with admiration at their profound sense of patriotism but also look at the future of the country and its unrelenting longing for the same profound sense of patriotism from us," she said.
Duterte linked the blood of the national heroes to the blood of bravery, selflessness, and love for the nation and fellowmen which she said continues to flow until today.
She added that this blood is now spreading into the minds and hearts of many Filipino who have "committed to the cause of rebuilding the nation from the rubbles caused by disunity, hatred, misunderating, and acts of hostility perpetuated by anti-people, anti-government, and local groups that hostaged the progress of the country for a long time."
The vice president also encouraged the public to honor the national heroes with a promise that their sacrifices will serve as "light and inspiration" and must vow to "protect the integrity of our independence and the interest of our nation" against those individuals who desire for the nation to "fail, fall and break."
"Patuloy nating mahalin ang Pilipinas," she added.
Duterte led a National heroes’ day program celebration at Quezon Park in Davao City.
In a Facebook post, she shared photos of her during the celebration with a caption that reminded the public to once again remember the sacrifices of the national heroes for the country’s freedom.
