Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Blvd. | Speech (Full text below) | Audio | http://www.pcoo.gov.ph/pnoy/CCP,%20Aug%2031%202015.mpg.mp3 | This is an extraordinary occasion. Exactly fifty-seven years ago, on August 31, 1958, the first Ramon Magsaysay Awards were given to five individuals. As we celebrate a long tradition of recognizing selfless service to the peoples of Asia here in these ceremonies, so too do we celebrate, fittingly, National Heroes’ Day here in the Philippines. Year in and year out, the Filipino people pay tribute to the bravery of those who worked towards a better Philippines. The faces on the banners around the country, the names most praised today often come from the pages of our history books: people like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Marcelo del Pilar, hailed, and rightfully so, as heroes. Yet, the law that mandates the commemoration of National Heroes Day names no single person. Nowhere does it say that blood must be shed for one to be considered a hero. What matters most is the attention and care we give to the ignored and the oppressed; the courage to stand for what is right; and the constant, quiet determination to do our part in uplifting our fellowmen. These, I believe, are the same principles that informed the leadership of Ramon Magsaysay, a true statesman and a renowned steward of the people’s trust, held in esteem not only in our country, but also in the rest of the world. Should we examine the Magsaysay Credo, we will find no allusion to news-making deeds. Instead, we see the promise of service, especially to the common man, and a moral code and style of governance founded on the very same. Should we examine the life of President Magsaysay, we will see all this, fueled by a dissatisfaction with the status quo and a resolve to bring change to the majority, as soon as possible—even if it means standing alone, against the greatest odds. As the saying goes: Heroes are ordinary people caught up in extraordinary times. This brings to mind a play that I studied in English class, quite a few years ago: Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People.” The play is set in a town well-known for its baths, which attract many visitors and contribute a great deal to the local economy. In this fictional society, tourism serves as the lifeblood of the people. Dr. Stockmann, the medical officer at the Municipal Baths, has discovered that the water used is contaminated—and he is determined to make this information public. Throughout the course of the play, Dr. Stockmann faces intense opposition. He is called selfish; he is told that he should he reveal not this information, for he will be culpable, if he did so, for the ruin of the town. In spite of all this, Dr. Stockmann stands by what he has discovered—he speaks the truth, even if he is, at the end of the play, branded an enemy of the people. In a very tangible way, each of us has been in Dr. Stockmann’s shoes—or that of Jose Rizal, or even of President Magsaysay. We are Dr. Stockmann when we face a fork in the road, whenever we confront the question, “Shall we choose the hard right, or the easy wrong,” and find in ourselves the strength to do that which is right. Our awardees here are the perfect examples of that. Each of them has transcended the “individual” perspective. Each of them has chosen to leave their comfort zones, and answer the call to serve more and more people, whether the immediate community, or all of society. To our awardees: You have all faced formidable opponents, from corrupt employees and officials in government, to the phenomenon of widespread poverty and inequality, and even to the way that time erodes our most valuable traditions. But you were not daunted; you have persevered, and continued to persevere, in order to protect justice, basic human rights, and our cultural heritage. ( C O N T ... http://www.pcoo.gov.ph/speeches2015/speech2015_aug31a.htm ) ***

• published: 31 Aug 2015
• views: 269