MANILA, Philippines – HINAMON ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang mga Filipino lalo na ang mga kabataan na ipagpatuloy ang pagyakap at pagtanggap sa mga mithiin ni Lapu-Lapu at ang yamanan ng Philippine heritage habang ang bansa ay lumilipat sa “Bagong Pilipinas.”
“The challenge now for all, especially the youth, is to continue embracing his [Lapulapu] ideals and the wealth of our heritage as we realize a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ that is built on the foundations of the liberty and freedom that he and all our other heroes fought hard for,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.
Sa kabilang dako, nakiisa naman si Pangulong Marcos sa mga Filipino sa paggunita sa “valor, bravery and boldness of Lapulapu and his men at the Battle of Mactan, which ultimately became the epitome of the “indomitable Filipino spirit” through the years.”
Ang katapangan ni Lapulapu at pagmamahal sa bansa, ayon sa Pangulo ay nagpapakita lamang kung paano “a force that is rooted in community, courage, and integrity can destroy even the strongest of opponents,” na napapanahon at naaangkop sa ngayon.
Aniya, ang lahat ay tinatawagan para kumasa sa hamon at tumayo laban sa modern-day oppressors at pagtibayin at panindigan ang pagiging makabayan.
Ang kahalintulad aniya ang kailangan ng bansa ngayon.
“Despite being in a world incomparable to that of Lapulapu, we are called to rise against our modern-day oppressors – greed, selfishness, and divisiveness – and uphold the legacy of patriotism that has been passed onto us through the years,” ayon sa Pangulo.
“The image of Lapulapu as a living, breathing, and real figure who risked his life to keep his family, comrades, and community safe from hostile outsiders may seem strange to our modern responsibilities. Yet, he remains a symbol of the bravery and honor that each of us inherently possesses,” dagdag na wika nito.
Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng sambayan na si Lapulapu ang pumatay sa Portuguese explorer na si Ferdinand Magellan sa ‘Battle of Mactan noong Abril 27, 1521. Kris Jose
