INTRODUCTION
The renowned Teodoro M. Kalaw, once wrote and I quote:

“Despite the changes of time, Andres Bonifacio, to my mind, will always be the greatest figure in our democracy, not only because he represented the revolutionary spirit of his age, but also because he symbolized the soul of the people who suffered and at the same time strove earnestly to improve its lot by all means and at all costs. He had the intuition of things, a gift which only providential persons possess.”

Bonifacio’s greatest advocacy, Mr. Kalaw continued, did not only refer to the political phase of the Philippine revolution. It also referred to its social and economic aspect. He spoke of racial equality as a postulate of individual justice, and severely condemned caste privileges, the domination of man by man, and all forms of human slavery.

“He (Bonifacio) defended the honor and integrity of the Filipino woman as the bedrock foundation of morality in the family and society. And with particular venom, he attacked the economic exploitation of the land as well as of labor by certain elements which considered themselves privileged.

“His propaganda was really messianic. He was the precursor in the islands of the economic, social and political doctrines which only today are being developed among the lower classes in the Philippines.”
A LIVING LEGACY
Mr. Kalaw wrote those lines more than 60 years ago, yet today his thoughts on the great plebeian is as inspiring as it was then.

The virtues of the founder of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) — courage, honesty, industry, initiative, determination, and great love for the country — shall always be to many of us the guiding principles, especially at this time when we are at the threshold of a new and challenging economic order.

The event we are commemorating today gains added significance when viewed from the perspective that it eventually led to the declaration of Philippine independence in 1898.

The death centenary of Andres Bonifacio comes at a time when we are reaping the fruits of his labor and benefit from the legacy he left behind.
THE PEOPLE AS THE FOREMOST CONCERN
Bonifacio’s first concern was the people — the masses. With sheer determination and self-reliance, he believed that the only way to deal with the Spanish power in the Philippines then was for the Katipuneros to rely on themselves.

Thus, the story of our national revolution began — in the soil of Spanish oppression and in the heart of one man. What followed afterward is a story of both glory and grief, triumph and tragedy.
LIVING UP TO THE LEGACY
We cannot, however, stop at merely commemorating the memory of Bonifacio and the Katipunan. We must sanctify and ensure our future by the example of Bonifacio and the Katipuneros.

Many of the hopes awakened by Bonifacio and the Katipunan have yet to be fulfilled — not least their hope that the poor masses of this nation would themselves rise in well-being upon the achievement of national independence.

And so, just like Bonifacio’s overriding concern for the plight and welfare of the people — the masses — the Ramos administration has been making headways in placing the common tao at the center of our development efforts –both as agent and as beneficiary.
MOVING AHEAD
At this stage where we have attained economic recovery, not only must we sustain the momentum of “Philippines 2000!!!”, we must move ahead, faster, higher and stronger! We must pole-vault to the 21st century. Our engines of growth are on full throttle in the cities and countryside.

Our “Pole-Vaulting” initiatives are raking in gains as never before realized. In fact, our efforts at economic recovery are gaining the respect and confidence of the international community.

Hence, we cannot afford to be complacent nor rest on our newly-found success. We must always be on our toes and try to surpass our present achievements. We must set our sight on new heights.
LEARNING FROM OUR HEROES
This is where we can learn from Bonifacio and from our other heroes who gave us the foundation of freedom on which we have built our success and earned our rightful place in the community of nations.

My compatriots, we are observing this momentous event not only to commemorate Bonifacio’s ultimate sacrifice but also to learn from his ideals and patriotism.

That love for one’s country and freedom can be manifested in different ways is one of the lessons we learned from him.

He also taught us to fight with whatever is available — talent, skills ingenuity and sheer will-power.

One’s humble beginnings, likewise, should not deter anyone from pursuing his dreams for himself and for his native land. This is equally an important lesson that Bonifacio bequeathed to all of us.

We can draw inspiration and strength from Bonifacio’s legacy to us and to our nation as we carry on our journey towards a better future for us all. We must take on the challenges that face us in these times and circumstances. We must have a brave heart for the battles that lie ahead.

Now, we no longer have to fight foreign enemies for our freedom. For the freedom we seek and the enemy we now have to face has changed form. Our struggle is now directed towards our liberation from the bondage of poverty. Let us all work together to deliver ourselves from hunger and all other social ills, and thus achieve the objectives of our Social Reform Agenda (SRA).
THE ENEMY WITHIN US
There is a need for us to face the enemy within ourselves. Let us free our minds from biases and prejudices. Let us be role models of our children in the appreciation of freedom and national heritage.

Let us teach our children the values of love of country and fellowmen in the tradition of bonifacio and our other heroes. Let us teach them solidarity and unity by our own examples.

The reforms that we, in government, are implementing cannot succeed without your support, your cooperation. Let us sustain the gains we have achieved over the last five years for us and for the coming generations.

And for all of us to achieve these and our collective vision in “Philippines 2000!!!”, we must draw on the Bonifacio in each and every one of us.
OUR TASK TODAY
Today, as we bid for the full rewards of development and peace in our country and a place in a highly competitive global economy, i do not doubt that our success lies in the renewal of the Filipino spirit. In this way, we can join together — government and the citizenry, and all the sectors of our society — in a concerted effort to fulfill the promise of freedom and democracy.

In many ways, we can already say that we are not entirely unworthy of our heritage. In the face of the challenges of our own time, we have surely acquitted ourselves in restoring freedom and democracy in our land and in bringing our country back on the road to economic and social progress.

It is said that each generation must strive to do more because it stands on the shoulders of giants in the preceding generations. From that vantage point, it can see the future better. And it can build better structures because it has much to build on.

This is the heart of our task as the fourth generation of Filipinos to emerge since the birth of the nation nearly a century ago. The spirit that made us free also gives us the means to write a new and exciting chapter in our history.
CLOSING
Every generation builds on the traditions and hard work of its forebears.

My countrymen and countrywomen, we give great honor to our heroes if we continue facing squarely the challenges of our times.

That is Bonifacio’s way! That is the Filipino way!

May the ideals that Bonifacio championed live long in our hearts.

Mabuhay ang alaala at diwa ng kabayanihan ni Andres Bonifacio!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!