NHCP Grounds, T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila
12 June 2016

President Benigno S. Aquino III launched the coffee table book, “A Sense of Nation: The Birthright of Rizal, Bonifacio and Mabini,” in celebration of the 118th proclamation of Philippine independence.

With President Aquino’s term ending on June 30, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) was inspired to create the coffee table book featuring the successful commemoration of the sesquicentennial birth anniversaries of the three men who shaped the Filipino nation: Jose Rizal in 2011, Andres Bonifacio in 2013, and Apolinario Mabini in 2014 — of which, President Aquino was lucky to preside over the three commemorations.

“Ang magkakasunod na pagdiriwang ay naging pagkakataong pagnilayan ang kahulugan at kahalagahan ng kalayaan sa ating buhay, at ang ala-ala ng paghihirap upang makamit ito ay sana’y manatiling bahagi ng ating kolektibong kaisipan… Ang aklat na ito ay para sa bayang Pilipino na inaasahan natin ay handang humarap sa hamon na lalo pang mapabuti ang bayang binuo nina Rizal, Bonifacio at Mabini, at lalo pang pagtibayin ang ating kalayaan. Ipinakita nila na sa huli, hindi kamatayan o pagkatalo ang mahalaga, ang mas mahalaga ay ang paninindigang nakaugat sa pagmamahal sa bayan,” said NHCP Chair Maria Serena Diokno.

She likewise thanked the President for his dedication and support to the commission, particularly in the refurbishments of national and local museums nationwide.

Edited by Diokno herself, the book contains ten essays by Filipino historians and academics, and three photo essays. The book will be available at the NHCP Building and will be for sale at PhP 650.00 per copy.

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