PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. graced the 160th birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, calling on the youth to emulate the Filipino hero to thrive in life.
Marcos led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Apolinario Mabini Shrine in Tanauan, Batangas on Tuesday, a day after he delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
“Tinatawagan ko ang mga kabataang Pilipino ngayon na gawing inspirasyon at halimbawa ang buhay ni Apolinario Mabini upang magpunyagi sa buhay,” said Marcos.
“Nawa’y higit [na] maunawaan ng mga [nakababatang] henerasyon ang kaniyang mga pilosopiyang pampulitika at panlipunan upang sila ay mahikayat na mag-ambag sa pagsulong ng ating bansa,” he added, highlighting Mabini’s contributions to the country’s freedom despite his disability.
Born on July 23, 1864 in Tanauan, Batangas, Mabini played a key role in Philippine history as the “brain of the revolution” against the country’s colonizers.
Mabini was not born with a disability. He contracted polio that paralyzed his legs in 1896, the same year the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule began. He was 31 years old at the time.
Despite his paralysis, Mabini continued to serve his country.
During his speech, Marcos remembered Mabin’s life, from his younger years to crafting the Constitution for the First Philippine Republic and becoming its prime minister and foreign minister.
“Ang kalagayan niya ang siyang nagbigay-lakas sa kaniya na gamitin ang talas ng kaniyang isip bilang sandata laban sa kawalang-katarungan, pang-aabuso, at pang-aapi sa mga kapwa Pilipino,” Marcos said.
“Isang siglo at dalawang dekada na ang lumipas mula nang huling masaksikan ng mundo ang kaniyang angking galing, ngunit walang-hanggan [nating pararangalan ang kaniyang] alaala sa paraang nararapat sa kaniya bilang isang tunay na bayaning Pilipino,” he continued.
Mabini died of cholera in May 1903, a few months after returning to the Philippines from exile in Guam. He was 38.
Nowadays, Mabini is remembered not only during his birth anniversary. He’s also introduced to the young generation through history classes and books.
Marcos had instructed new Education Secretary Sonny Angara to ensure that Philippine history is taught to Filipino students.
