President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the celebration of the 160th birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini at the Mabini Shrine in Tanauan City, Batangas on July 23. 2024. Kj Rosales, PPA poolMANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on the Filipino youth to emulate and draw inspiration from the life of Apolinario Mabini, as he led the commemoration of Mabini's 160th birth anniversary in a program in Tanauan City, Batangas.

Known as the "Sublime Paralytic," Mabini was a nationalist lawyer and intellectual during the Philippine Revolution who also played a key role in establishing the First Philippine Republic under President Emilio Aguinaldo.

In his speech, Marcos Jr. noted how Mabini, through his renowned intellect, determination, and love for the country, persevered through poverty and physical disability to become the brains of the Philippine Revolution, and eventually become the country’s first Foreign Secretary.

"Ang kaniyang ipinamanang lakas ng loob ay nabubuhay sa kanila at sa maraming Pilipino na patuloy na nag-aalay ng kanilang husay at talento para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng Pilipinas," Marcos Jr. said in his speech.

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"Tinatawagan ko ang mga kabataang Pilipino ngayon na gawing inspirasyon at halimbawa ang buhay ni Apolinario Mabini upang magpunyagi sa buhay. Nawa’y higit [na] maunawaan ng mga [nakababatang] henerasyon ang kaniyang mga pilosopiyang pampulitika at panlipunan upang sila ay mahikayat na mag-ambag sa pagsulong ng ating bansa," he said.

"Si Mabini ay [nagpapatunay] sa kaisipan na ang bawat isa sa atin ay may kakayahang gumawa ng pagbabago at tumahak sa sariling landas tungo sa tagumpay, sa kabila ng iniindang kalagayan o anumang pagsubok," he said.

During the program, Marcos Jr. offered a wreath of flowers at the Mabini Shrine. 

He also toured the Museo ni Apolinario Mabini, which shows Mabini's childhood struggle and contributions to Philippine history.

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