Live with purpose like Rizal — Marcos

President Marcos has called on the Filipino people to live life with purpose, passion and nationalism, the way Philippine national hero Jose Rizal did, to be able to overcome challenges and achieve a brighter tomorrow.

During the commemoration of Rizal’s martyrdom on Saturday, Dec. 30, Marcos made his appeal as he said Rizal’s influence “continues to be felt in a world that is still affected by greed, oppression and injustice in various forms.”

He also enjoined Filipinos to keep emulating the timeless values once can learn from Rizal’s life and works.

“I also call on everyone to let the genuine love for the country that he lived out and later died for propel us to have a deep and personal sense of ownership for our land and our future,” Marcos said in his message.

Marcos said while Rizal’s sacrifice for the country after his execution by firing squad was the ultimate expression of his patriotism, “it is crucial to recall that his work started even before that fateful day on the field of Bagumbayan.”

“With our meaningful commemoration, may the ideals and spirit of Dr. Jose Rizal live on as we fully realize the Philippines that he and his contemporaries fought hard for,” he added. — Joseph Pedrajas