Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday urged all Filipinos to awaken the spirit of heroism in their selves and help the country overcome present challenges as a gesture of gratitude to the heroes who gave up their lives to secure the nation’s freedom.

In his message during the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence at the monument of Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan City, Romualdez pointed out the present battle is not against foreign invaders but for freedom against the shackles of poverty and hunger.

“Walang ganap na kalayaan kung may naghihirap pa rin sa lupang tinubuan (There will be no complete freedom if there are Filipinos still mired in poverty),” he said.

“Ang laban para sa kalayaan ay hindi lamang himagsikan laban sa mga mananakop. Laban din ito para wakasan ang kagutuman. Laban para maranasan ang ginhawa sa buhay. Laban para matiyak ang magandang kinabukasan (The fight for freedom is not only a war against invaders. It is also the fight to end hunger, the fight to experience comfort in life, and the fight to ensure a better future),” he said.

He said the road towards a better future could not be unfolded if people do not reflect and learn from the lessons left by the country’s heroes, like Gat Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution.

“Sa araw na ito, gisingin natin ang kabayanihan sa bawat isa sa atin. (On this day, let us awaken the heroism in each of us),” he said.

“Be heroes to uplift the lives of our families. Let us be part of the solutions to the country’s problems. Let us be heroes for our country and for each other,” Romualdez said.

On behalf of the House of Representatives, he vowed to do his part in uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

“Asahan po ninyo, lagi ninyo akong kasama sa labang ito (Be assured that I am always with you in this fight [against poverty]),” he said. (PNA)