Assalamualaikum.

Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga nasa likod ng pagtitipon na ito.

Isa itong pambihirang pagkakataon kung saan magkakasama ang iba’t ibang sektor na may mahahalagang papel na ginagampanan sa ating pagsisikap at pagkilos na itayo ang isang matatag, masagana, at mapayapang bansa.

The Marcos administration is aggressively pushing for the country’s sustainable growth — and we have recently seen the support of many of our neighboring countries for our government’s agenda.

These expressions of support encourage us in the government to do more.

As the Vice President of the Philippines, I personally feel more encouraged to do better when I see our fellow Filipinos supporting government programs and projects through their own sectoral or community initiatives that, regardless of their simplicity or proportions or magnitude, are scintillating with inspiration, with hope — encouraging Filipinos to stand for the nation and become Filipinos helping fellow Filipinos.

I thank the Heroes Movement, Inc — and I am profoundly grateful —for an initiative that ticks all the boxes we need in our call for unity to advance our progress and development as a nation.

Bayanihan. Volunteerism. Love of country. Love of fellow Filipinos. Dedication. Passion for change. These are not just words. These are people. Real people. They are Filipino people.

From people-led initiatives, community-based movements, small businesses, youth-organized advocacies, church activities, university academic programs, NGO campaigns, medical professionals’ outreach, a private company’s programs to a mother’s intention to volunteer in a cause that are with aligned with the government agenda — all these will make a significant difference in our pursuit for peace, growth, and development in our country.

You have started the call for national healing and provided the opportunity to become part of the bigger call for nation-building.

And so, allow me to address the elephant in the room. Hate. I believe that hate has damaged us as a nation — divided us, and will further break us into pieces if we don’t let it go.

And it’s the same hate that will stop us from being heroes.

Daghang salamat to the Heroes Movement, Inc. for offering Filipinos this beautiful opportunity to participate in the cause to do good, to be good, to volunteer, to join the movement of healing and rebuild the nation, to become productive members of the community, and to become agents of truth, compassion, and change.

I always say, “patuloy nating mahalin natin ang Pilipinas.”

And here today, from you, I just heard loudest, the most powerful response to that call.

Sa muli, patuloy nating mahalin ang Pilipinas.

Shukran. Maraming salamat.