Sen. Joel Villanueva's Bonifacio Day message

Today, we commemorate the bravery of one of our nation's heroes--Andres Bonifacio. Known as the "Father of the Philippine Revolution," Bonifacio started a movement that defied colonial rule and granted us independence.

His unwavering spirit and thirst for change shown in his leadership as Katipunan's Supremo led to a historic uprising which saw the power of collective action in pursuit of one patriotic goal: to defend our Motherland and free our countrymen from the shackles of an abusive system.

The lessons we learn from Bonifacio should teach us to value the institutions that uphold our democracy and our freedom.

May his example ingrain in us a deep sense of nationalism and passion to become future drivers of growth and leaders in nation-building.

The heroic deeds of Bonifacio should further motivate and inspire each of us more than ever to be critical, assertive, and proactive in finding solutions to our country's pressing problems.