Aquino lauds country’s ‘new heroes’

President Benigno S. Aquino III paid tribute to the country’s “new heroes” for bringing honor and prestige to Filipinos through their dedication, sacrifice and hard work while eking out a living far from their families overseas.

In his speech keynoting the awarding ceremonies of the 2011 Bagong Bayani in Malacañang on Thursday, the President praised the overseas Filipino workers for being partners in nation building.

“Saludo po ako sa di-matawarang dedikasyon at sakripisyo ng ating mga OFWs. Malayo man sa kanilang tahanan, buong tatag at sagisag pa rin sila sa pagkayod upang mabigyan ng maginhawang buhay at kinabukasan ang kanilang pamilya (I salute the dedication and sacrifice of our OFWs. Although many miles away from home, they are dedicated in working hard to give their family a comfortable life and a better future),” the President said.

“Ang mga ipinadadalang remittance ng ating mga OFWs para sa panggastos sa bahay o pagpapagawa ng kanilang dream house; para sa pambayad ng matrikula ng mga anak o ng kapatid, o di kaya pangtustos sa negosyo, ay katumbas din ng pag-usad ng mga Pilipino sa tuwid na landas (The remittance sent by OFWs for household expenses or to provide budget for their dream house; to pay for the tuition of their children or sibling, or provide for their business, is also for the progress of Filipinos toward the righteous path),” he added.

He stressed that the term Bagong Bayani or New Hero is a fitting testament to OFWs around the world whose dedication and sacrifice have greatly helped in uplifting the lives of their families and the economy.

“Kaya naman hindi maitatangging kayo ang ating mga bagong bayani. Hindi man kayo gumagamit ng mga sandata sa pakikibaka, pinapalaya ninyo ang bayan mula sa pagkakagapos nito sa kahirapan—mga bayani kayong ipinupuhunan ang dugo, pawis at pagod upang itaas ang antas ng kabuhayaan ng inyong pamilya at ng ekonomiya (No one could deny that you are our new heroes. Although you do not use weapons to fight, you are freeing the nation from being tied from poverty—you are heroes who invest blood, sweat and exhaustion to improve the livelihood of your family and the economy),” the President said.

“Nakikipagsapalaran kayo kaakibat ang tatag ng loob na magtrabaho sa kanila, ng pagkakahiwalay sa mga mahal sa buhay; ang tapang sa pagharap sa mga pagsubok ng pag-iisa at ng hirap ng trabaho at sa pagiging salbabida ng ating ekonomiya (You take a risk with firm dedication to work for them, being away from your loved ones; your bravery to face the trials of being alone and the hardships of work and for serving as a buoy for our economy),” he added. ([B][I]Philippine Embassy Press Office[/I][/B])