Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Calls on Pinoys’ Collective Pursuit for Truly-Free Philippines
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President issued a statement on the celebration of the Rizal Day or the death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.
In the Philippines, one of the most popular heroes is Dr. Jose Rizal. He is the Philippine national hero and his life story is part of the topics that are discussed in the schools in the country. What sets him greatly different from many other heroes of the country is the way he fought for the freedom of the nation.
Instead of sword or firearms, Dr. Jose Rizal fought for the freedom of the Philippines through pen. He is an advocate of political reform which he pushed through his books. His most popular writings were his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are both discussed in Philippine schools as well as the works of Dr. Jose Rizal that has a huge impact in the pursuit of freeing the country from foreign colonization. The Philippine national hero was born on June 19, 1861 and died on December 30, 1896 at the age of 35 years old.
Every year, the Rizal Day is held every December 30 in commemoration of the death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. The president and vice president usually release statements during the event.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte urged the youth to follow the passion of Dr. Jose Rizal to gain knowlege. For his part, Pres. Bongbong Marcos encourgaed the Filipinos to show genuine love for the country. This year, the Vice President has a different call for the Filipinos.
Based on a report on GMA News, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte calls on Filipinos for a collective pursuit for a more just, fair, and free Philippines. She also recalled the intense tense that Dr. Jose Rizal went through.
“Ang napakatinding pagsubok na kanyang pinagdaanan ay nagpapaalala sa atin na kahit sa pinakamadilim na oras, ang liwanag ng katotohanan at katarungan ay maaaring manaig,” Duterte said.
In her statement, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte called on the Filipinos to stand for what is right. Here’s what the Vice President further said:
“Parangalan natin ang kanyang alaala sa pamamagitan ng paninindigan para sa tama at kolektibong pagsusumikap tungo sa mas makatarungan, pantay, at tunay na malayang Pilipinas,” she expressed.
In 2022, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released a commemorative 125-Piso coin honoring Dr. Jose Rizal on his death anniversary.