President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called on the Filipino nation to appreciate the rich history of the Philippines and learn from the experience of our ancestors.
In his speech at the commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Philippine Part in the First Circumnavigation of the World, the chief executive highlighted that history should make us reflect on the past and look towards our future.
“We should therefore honor those who have toiled so that we may become a nation we are today: modern, progressive and ever-thriving… As inheritors of this complicated yet glorious past, the duty now rests to the shoulders to continue the aspirations of our forebearers,” President Duterte enjoined.
While the event being celebrated led to the beginning of colonization, President Duterte underscored that Filipinos can find relief in the knowledge that we have gone far in our efforts to correct the mistakes of the past.
“We thank everybody, the ancestors of the Spaniards who came here, and we hope that this event would further fortify our relations with the Spaniards,” he acknowledged.
The activity forms part of the series of commemorative events in the country’s history relative to the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the world led by Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano in 1521.
Aside from gracing the program, the Chief Executive also led the unveiling of the Quincentennial Marker in Guian, Eastern Samar, as part of the celebration.
The Quincentennial Marker is among the 34 historical markers mounted along the route of the first circumnavigation that took place in the Philippines, including key sites in Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao. – Mela Lesmoras
