Press Release
April 24, 2009

Gordon to lead launching of Bagumbayan Movement on April 27

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today said he expects ordinary people from all walks of life and every corner of the country to attend the Grand Launching and National Convention of the Bagumbayan-Volunteers for a New Philippines on April 27.

Gordon said the Bagumbayan, which he is a founding member, is composed of ordinary citizens who are committed to a vision of genuine change that is solidly grounded on values and empowered by volunteerism to attain victory.

"We are going to meet on Monday and discuss our rules and our positions on issues of national importance. A lot of people are going to be represented there by sectors and provinces. The movement relies on everyone," he said.

"We are going to have people who have managed to rise beyond poverty, beyond the crisis of our country, and those who share with our vision of a new Philippines that is ennobled, enabled and free," he added.

The Grand Launching and National Convention of Bagumbayan Movement at the Manila Hotel coincides with the national observance of the 488th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan, the first Asian victory against the colonial invaders, on April 27.

"That is the day, April 27, when the first Asian, who happened to be Lapu-Lapu, beat the colonial invader. We chose this date because we want to be victorious, we want a mindset change in our country, an attitudinal change," Gordon said.

Early that day, as part of the half-day affair, Gordon will offer wreaths in honor of the first Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu, and our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, at the Luneta Park, Manila.

Together with Imam Ben Maulana, he will offer a wreath for Lapu-Lapu, the Visayan Muslim who personifies the National Anthem's "sa manlulupig 'di ka pasisiil", as a tribute to the courage the nation's first hero displayed at the Battle of Mactan.

Afterwards, Gordon will also lay a wreath for Rizal, the Tagalog Christian personified in the National Anthem's verse "ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo", with Sir Emmanuel Cabusao of the Knights of Rizal in honor of the country's national hero.

"Lapu-Lapu and Jose Rizal are two of our nation's heroes who exemplified how we can break the walls in our minds built by the colonial past by regaining confidence in our capabilities and being courageous about the future," Gordon said.

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