Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte plants a tree during the Department of Education Turnover Ceremony at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, Department of Education Central Office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said she hopes the commemoration of National Heroes' Day will awaken heroism in Filipinos, especially in the youth.

In her heroes' day statement, Duterte asked Filipinos to remember the heroes who offered their lives for the country.

"Sana sa ating pagbabalik-tanaw sa ating kasaysayan ay matutunan natin ang mga aral tulad ng paninindigan, katapangan, pagmamahal sa kapwa at tapat na paglilingkod sa bayan," she said.

"Maging inspirasyon din sana natin ang kanilang kadakilaan at gisingin ang mga bayaning nagkukubli sa puso ng bawat Pilipino, lalo na sa ating mga kabataan," she added.

(As we look back on our history, may we learn the lessons of standing up for our principles, bravery, love for fellowmen and loyal service to the country. May their heroism also awaken the hero hidden in the hearts of Filipinos, especially the youth.)

She also told the public to strive to keep the Philippines a free and peaceful country.

“Mahalaga rin na tayo'y magsumikap upang tayo ay manatiling malaya, maunlad, at mapayapa bilang isang bansa,” the Vice President said.

“Tunay lamang nating masusundan ang halimbawa ng ating mga bayani sa pamamagitan ng pagiging mabuting mamamayan na nagtataguyod ng mga prinsipyong nagbibigkis sa lahat ng mga Pilipino,” she added.

(It is also important that we strive to remain free, successful, and peaceful as a nation. We will only be able to truly follow in the footsteps of our heroes by being good citizens who uphold the principles that bind us as a nation.)

National Heroes' Day has been observed in the Philippines since the American colonial period.

Originally commemorated during the last Sunday of August, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had the holiday moved to the last Monday of the same month as part of her administration's "holiday economics."

RELATED STORY: