Rowegie Abanto

The Rizal Monument in Manila. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

The Rizal Monument in Manila in this photo taken on Jose Rizal's 161st birth anniversary on June 19, 2022. The country's national hero was born in 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Rizal's 161st Birth Anniversary

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173552194863120220619-rizal-birth-anniversary-MD-10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">The Rizal Monument in Manila. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Filipinos to be catalysts of change as the country commemorates the death and martyrdom of national hero Jose Rizal.</p><p>In his message on Rizal Day, Dec. 30, 2024, Marcos said true reforms begin &quot;within us, especially when we stand firm on the issues that we face today.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2024/12/29/we-asked-an-ai-chatbot-modeled-after-rizal-about-the-country-here-s-what-it-said-0017">We asked an AI chatbot modeled after Rizal about the country, here&#x27;s what it said</a></div><p>&quot;Since his ultimate sacrifice in 1896, Dr. José Rizal&#x27;s vision of a just and forward-thinking society is no less alive today than it was more than a century ago,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>&quot;As we remember his noble works and honorable life, let us take to heart his words and ideals that awakened the consciousness of our forebears and stirred a national movement for freedom.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/29/new-website-makes-it-possible-to-talk-to-dr-jose-rizal-0027">New website makes it possible to talk to Dr. Jose Rizal</a></div><p>Rizal was executed by a firing squad of the Spanish colonial government on Dec. 30, 1896, at Bagumbayan, now known as Luneta or Rizal Park, in Manila, for the crime of rebellion. </p><p>His martyrdom further intensified Filipino nationalists&#x27; revolution against the Spanish Empire.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/12/29/16/the-last-days-of-jose-rizal">READ: The last days of Jose Rizal</a></div><p>Marcos also called on Filipinos &quot;to look back in pride and embody all the things&quot; Rizal cherished such as love for country, dedication to the truth, and commitment to the betterment of people.</p><p>&quot;Whether in service to our communities, in the pursuit of knowledge, or in uplifting the marginalized, let us make decisions that will echo his resolve,&quot; the President also said.</p><p>Marcos on Rizal Day is also expected to sign the proposed 2025 national spending plan, which faced criticism over stripping government subsidy for state insurer PhilHealth.</p><p>He earlier said they are thoroughly assessing the budget plan to ensure that it is aligned with the government&#x27;s priorities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/23/marcos-economic-managers-review-2025-national-budget-1214">Marcos, economic managers review 2025 national budget</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tTRRV8gPGfA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Filipinos to be catalysts of change as the country commemorates the death and martyrdom of national hero Jose Rizal.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Filipinos to be catalysts of change as the country commemorates the death and martyrdom of national hero Jose Rizal.

Marcos on Rizal Day: True change begins within us

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Marcos on Rizal Day: True change begins within us

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 30, 2024 09:40 AM PHT

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