00:00As we celebrate National Heroes Day, we honor the Filipinos who gave their courage,
00:06their strength, and in some cases their lives, for the freedom and dignity of our nation.
00:12We remember the heroes whose names are written in our history,
00:16and the countless others whose sacrifices were known only to their families and their communities.
00:23Filipinos, from different walks of life, sacrificed their safety, their comfort,
00:28and their lives to raise a young republic that would nurture future generations.
00:34And some who, during the war, guarded their communities, healed the wounded, and assisted the revolutionaries.
00:43These heroes kept the flame of the revolution alive through their support for the republic.
00:49They did their part each day so that we could enjoy our Freedom Day.
00:55While not all of them will be immortalized in letter, stone, or metal,
01:00we dedicate this day each year to remember their contributions to our country's freedom and independence.
01:09But the National Heroes Day also offers an invitation to look beyond the pages of history.
01:14After all, the spirit of heroism lives on because every generation gives it a new face.
01:21Sa kasalukuyan, may mga bayaning patuloy na naglilingkod sa sambayanan.
01:27Nariyan ang ating mga OFW na malayo sa kanyang tahanan,
01:32ngunit nagsisikap araw-araw para sa pag-unlad ng kanyang pamilya at ng kanyang bayan.
01:39Nandyan ang mga bumbero, mga pulis, sundalo, emergency responder,
01:44na unang sumasaklolo sa ating mga kababayan na hakarap sa panganib.
01:48Nariyan ang gurong tumatawid ng ilong at umaakyat ng bundok
01:54upang makapagbigay ng kaalaman at magandang kinabukasan sa kanyang mga sundyante.
02:00Nariyan ang mga healthcare worker,
02:02sa kabila ng hirap at layo,
02:04ay nagbibigay aruga sa mga may sakit na kapuspalad.
02:09Nariyan ang mga amat, ina,
02:12o kaya naman mga tumatayong padre de familia
02:15na walang tigil ang pagtatrabaho upang mabigyan ng mas maginhawang buhay
02:20ang kanilang minamahal sa buhay.
02:23Nariyan ang Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines,
02:27Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,
02:29kasama ang ating mga manging isda
02:31na nasa unahan ng pagproprotekta sa ating mga karapatan,
02:36kabuhayan, at pambansang interes sa West Philippine Sea.
02:40Ilang lamang sila sa maraming muka ng kabayanihan sa ating panahon.
02:46Sapagkat sa iba't ibang paraan at sa bawat pagkakataon,
02:51may mga Pilipinong patuloy na nagsasakripisyo,
02:55naglilingkod, at gumagawa ng kabutihan para sa kapwa, para sa bayan.
03:01This is especially meaningful as we confront the challenges before our nation today.
03:08In my recent State of the Nation I address,
03:11I reaffirm that our duty to the people extends to protecting the country's interests,
03:17upholding the rule of law,
03:19and securing the resources upon which our communities depend.
03:22This is timely, as 2026 marks a decade since the 2016 Arbitral Award affirmed the Philippines Maritime Entitlements under the
03:34UNCLOS.
03:35Ipaglalaban natin ang ating mga karapatan sa paraang mapayapa, naaayon sa batas, at naaayon sa ating mga prinsipyo.
03:45But defending our territory is a responsibility shared by the entire nation.
03:50It calls on each of us to understand our history, to know our rights, and to take part in protecting
03:58the national interest.
04:00We begin by educating the youth where our maritime rights come from and why they matter.
04:06Across every platform available to us, we shall champion truth, counter disinformation, and encourage responsible discourse.
04:15Our fisherfolk, too, deserve our unconditional support.
04:20Their continued presence in our waters strengthens our connection to our maritime territory.
04:26Above all, we have a duty to uphold the integrity of our institutions by demanding transparency, accountability, and a standard
04:36of service worthy of the Filipino people.
04:39Sa pagkatangtibay ng ating panindigan bilang bansa, ay nagsisimula sa lalim ng ating kaalaman at lakas ng ating pagkakabuklud bilang
04:51isang bayan.
04:53Magkakaiba man ang ating pamamaraan, iisa ang mensahe ng mga ito.
04:58Ang Pilipinas ay karapat-dapat na ipaglaban, ang bawat Pilipino ay karapat-dapat na paglingkuran, ang ating soberanya ay karapat
05:09-dapat na ipagtanggol.
05:11Ganito natin binibigyan ng muka ang kabayanihan sa ating panahon, sa pagkikilala sa ating bayan, sa pagtataguyod sa mga karapatan
05:21nito, at sa paggawa ng ating responsibilidad upang manatiling matatag, malaya, at nagkakaisa ang Pilipinas.
05:30Together, let us shape a bagong Pilipinas whose people stand firm against all form of pressure, where institutions serve with
05:40integrity, and where sovereignty remains secure for generations to come.
05:47Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay ang mga bayaning Pilipino. Mabuhay ang bagong Pilipinas.
06:00Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay ang mga bayan.
