We remember today the sacrifices of our heroes and martyrs for our nation’s independence from colonialism.

Today we face the greatest challenge to our basic freedoms – no longer from a foreign oppressor but from an invisible enemy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our way of life in unprecedented terms, restricting our freedom of movement and assembly. The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated economic and social inequalities; rising unemployment due to the closure of businesses or interruption of economic activities has deprived thousands of poor families of their source of income, driving them to extreme poverty.

The COVID-19 crisis thus calls for us to help our fellow Filipino, our kasimanwa who is in need. We are told to observe physical distancing, to stay home as much as possible, but this should not preclude; rather, this should strengthen, solidarity with vulnerable sectors of our society.

A hundred and twenty-two years ago, our heroes and martyrs gave their blood, tears and sweat to gain our nation’s freedom from the chains of colonial oppression. Today, health workers are tracking and fighting the invisible enemy in hospitals, laboratories, quarantine facilities and communities to break chains of transmission. We are forever in their debt for their courage and dedication.

Our experience with COVID-19 gives new meaning to Independence Day. We fight as one nation to gain our freedoms: freedom from fear of an invisible but an un-invincible enemy; and freedom from poverty, as we build our defenses against future crises and adapt to a new world. The road to freedom may be long and winding – but we will win this war. We fight and win as one!