PCOO PR
METRO MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Friday encouraged Filipinos to draw inspiration from Dr. Jose Rizal, whose birthday is being celebrated today, amid the current COVID-19 crisis.
During the Network Briefing News, Secretary Andanar said that the teachings of Rizal remain relevant up to the present.
He cited some of the lines from the famous works of Rizal, relating them to how Filipinos must adapt during this time of pandemic.
“Tama po si Rizal, ngayong pilit tayong sinakop ng hindi nakikitang kalaban dapat marunong tayo, dapat alam natin kahit papano kung paano labanan ito. At dapat may puso rin tayo sa kapwa [Rizal was right. Now that we are being targeted by an invisible enemy, we should be knowledgeable. We should somehow know how to fight back. At the same time, we should still have the compassion for others],” he said.
“Let us be well-equipped with knowledge, sundin ang mga alituntunin ng pamahalaan [Let us be well-equipped with knowledge and follow the guidelines from the government],” he added.
In his official statement, the PCOO chief also reminded the public to set an example in inspiring others to pursue their goals and respond to the call to serve the country despite the challenges.
“May we heed his words to be an example to others, to encourage others who may be hesitating to take the first step to pursue their goals. We can do this by having the initiative to take action,” he said.
Today marks the 159th birthday of Rizal who was known for his several works that helped expose the tyranny of the Spanish government in the Philippines.
In 1896, he was convicted of sedition by Spanish court martial and was executed by firing squad on December 30th at Bagumbayan field, now known as Rizal Park.
