BE A BONIFACIO. In his keynote speech during the commemoration of Bonifacio Day in Davao City on Wednesday, Nov.30, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III encourages Davaoeños to emulate national hero, Andres Bonifacio. (Robby Joy Salveron/davaotoday.com)
By Robby Joy Salveron, Intern
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – It was a festive atmosphere with a volley of fire and taps and offering of flowers as Davaoeños commemorated Bonifacio’s Birth Anniversary early morning Wednesday.
Different government agencies and private sectors here gave honor to the Great Supremo who fought for the nation’s revolution against Spanish colonizers.
In his keynote speech, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III told the public to continue Bonifacio’s legacy.
Bello also urged the public to join hands with the President Rodrigo Duterte in “fulfilling the penultimate revolution” for the Filipino nation.
“A revolution fails if the people betray their leader. That was the lesson of Gat Andres Bonifacio,” Bello said.
Bello said he hopes the Filipinos will “not and never allow” the same betrayal to happen so that we (as a nation) may give “greater meaning” to this historical day.
“Never will we abandon the revolution for peace, for a government free of corruption, free from drugs and revolution for a truly independent and sovereign nation. Only in doing so, we can proudly say that we did not fail our national hero Gat Andres Bonifacio,” he said.
IDavao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in her message read by Assistant City Administrator Atty. Tristan Dwight P. Domingo also expressed her aspiration for everyone to strive to live by the example of Bonifacio.
Duterte encouraged the Davaoeños to “reflect on how we can be heroes in our own families and for fellow Filipinos.”
“We can be heroes when we do our jobs efficiently, when we take the extra mile not just at work but in the community; when we are able to make personal sacrifices for our family and for our country,” Duterte said.(davaotoday.com)
