Noynoy: Let’s reclaim our nation’s greatness

MANILA, Philippines – President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III urged fellow Filipinos over the weekend to do their part in helping regain the nation’s greatness.

Aquino said the fight for the country’s true freedom still had a long way to go.

“Let us remember that it is not enough to be willing to die for our country. We must also be willing to live for it. We have been given an opportunity at reclaiming our nation’s greatness. Together, we must seize it. Long live the Philippines,” Aquino said in a statement issued in connection with the country’s celebration of Independence Day on June 12.

Aquino was referring to the May 10 elections wherein “many of our fellowmen” fought to be freed from the country’s ills by voting for a government that promised to be clean and honest.

“But the fight does not end there. Our victory is not the end but the beginning of continuous struggle against problems that saddle the nation,” Aquino said.

Aquino noted how difficult it was for the country to achieve independence 112 years ago.

“Philippine independence was proclaimed by the revolutionary government of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, who fought valiantly against 300 years of Spanish rule. This was the first time the Philippine flag was raised, and the anthem was performed. In 1946 we were granted independence, but only after years of war, first against the Americans, then against Imperial Japan during World War II. Again, in 1986, we celebrated renewed freedom after our successful mass uprising against the dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, and we restored our democracy after fourteen years of martial rule,” Aquino said.

“We have a saying in Filipino: Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan. If we apply this adage to the celebration of our independence, we must realize that our freedom comes at a steep price, where each of us can play an important role,” Aquino said.

Aquino said he was not certain if Filipinos living at present were lucky not to be compelled to offer their lives for the nation now.

“Many of us no longer have to face death to fight for independence. But at this time, the enemy is no longer foreign invaders or a dictator. The freedom we are fighting for now is freedom from poverty, corruption and abuse of power,” Aquino said.

Aquino has appealed for time to solve the country’s woes and said he would need to first make an inventory of all the country’s problems once he assumes office.

He said he would have to form his Cabinet first and give his marching orders once his officials were in place.

Flowers from GMA

Senator Aquino visited the grave of his parents yesterday with other members of his family and expressed hope that Filipinos would no longer have to sacrifice the way they did for the country.

Upon arrival at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, Aquino and his family were surprised to see a cluster of flowers sent by President Arroyo. The people at the memorial part said it was sent on Saturday, the country’s Independence Day.

“I don’t know when it was sent and for what purpose,” Aquino said.

Aquino said visiting his late parents, former President Corazon Aquino and former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was a source of comfort for him and his sisters and their families.

Aquino’s father was assassinated in 1983 after fighting for the country’s democracy during the time of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. His widow had to continue his fight and ran for president in 1986.

In a report by GMA News, Aquino said he would always ask guidance from both his parents and that visiting them “serves as a reminder” of where they came from.

“Hopefully, it will get to the point that it’s no longer necessary for sacrifices that they both gave,” he said.

It was Aquino’s youngest sister, actress and television host Kris Aquino-Yap, who led the praying of the rosary. The family then proceeded to a restaurant at the Fort in Taguig City for lunch.

Time with family

Aquino said he would like to spend much time with his family once he assumes the presidency because they were the ones who could give him comfort.

He said he could depend on his family as his strongest supporters in the face of “harshest critics.”

Aquino stressed his family would also make sure that his feet would firmly be planted on the ground even as president.

He said he would like to have a lot of interaction with his family so long as it would not interfere with his official duties.

Aquino-Yap said her sisters had agreed to help her in distributing school supplies to school children in various places nationwide and that it would only be one of the many things they intend to do to help their brother. –-Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) with Jose Rodel Clapano