By Mary May A. Abellon
DIPOLOG CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) - - The city government here has
joined the entire nation in celebrating Rizal’s 116th death
anniversary with Col. Amadeo F. Azul, commanding officer of the 101st
Brigade, Philippine Army as guest speaker.
Attending the event were
officials and employees from the national government agencies (NGAs), local
government units (LGUs), business groups, people’s organizations (POs) and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
In his message, Col. Azul
said “the national hero did not only leave to us the dignity of a free nation, but
he also left to us a challenge to always strive for excellence, discipline and
charity towards building a better Filipino Nation. By these virtues, we can be
heroes in our own way.”
He underscored that every
Filipino citizen has chance to be a hero, adding that “in the coming election,
every candidate can be a hero by upholding an honest and peaceful electoral
process with the electorate refusing to be bribed or intimidated as they vote
for the right candidates.”
For him, a hero is an
individual of elevated moral stature with superior ability that pursues his
goals untiringly in the face of powerful antagonists. “Because of his devotion
to the good, no matter the opposition, a hero attains spiritual grandeur even
if he fails to achieve practical victory,” said the commanding officer.
Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, on the
other hand, said “the reason why we honor the death anniversary and martyrdom
of Rizal is to evaluate the strategies for better life of us.”
The Rizal Day celebration
was capped by a floral offering at the national hero’s bust at Plaza Magsaysay
this city. (JPA/MAA/PIA-Zambo Norte)