PNoy wants talk with DepEd chief over youth’s confusion on Apolinario Mabini

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday lamented the youth’s lack of education on Philippine history following remarks made by students as to why Apolinario Mabini was sitting down at the entire duration of the historical film “Heneral Luna.”

 

“Ang komento pa raw ng ilang netizens, baka pagod lang daw noong mga panahong iyon si Mabini. Talagang napailing po tayo noong ikinuwento sa amin ito,” Aquino said in a speech delivered during the 2015 Apolinario Mabini Awards held in Malacañang. 

 

“Sabihin mang iilang estudyante lang ang nagpahayag nito, masasabing isa rin itong repleksyon sa pagkukulang sa kaalaman sa kasaysayan ng ilang kabataan sa kasalukuyan. At maya-maya ay tatawagan natin si Bro. Armin [Luistro] para ayusin ito,” he added referring to Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro.

 

Aquino, however, admitted that he hasn’t seen the film, which had already been selected as the Philippines’ official entry to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 2016 Oscars. 

 

Epy Quizon, the actor who played Mabini in the film, earlier shared his disappointment over questions as to why his character was always seated down. 

 

“What have we been teaching these kids in our history classes?” Quizon asked.

 

Mabini, the so-called Sublime Paralytic and The Brains of the Revolution, was afflicted with polio in 1895. 

 

“Napapanahon nga pong balikan ang isang tanong: Bakit ba natin itinuturing na isang bayani si Apolinario Mabini? Hindi po matatawaran ang laki at lawak ng ambag sa ating bansa ng tinaguriang ‘Dakilang Paralitiko’ at ‘Utak ng Rebolusyon.’ Siya ang kumakatawan sa talino at paninindigan ng lahing Pilipino,” said Aquino.

 

The Apolinario Mabini Awards was launched in 1974 to give recognition to individuals with disabilities, and professionals and various groups that have rendered outstanding service to people with disabilities (PWDs).

 

Receiving the presidential award was Engr. Darlito Parlemo, whom Aquino recognized as one of the first PWD youth leaders in Agdao, Davao City. The Hall of Fame award was given to Randy Weisser of the SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs. 

 

Aquino likewise enumerated his administration’s role in promoting the welfare of PWDs. 

 

The president cited Republic Act 10366 authorizing the Comelec to establish precincts exclusively for PWDs and senior citizens, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and other programs aimed towards providing PWDs with education and skills training for employment. 

 

“Asahan po ninyo, sa pagpapatuloy ng Daang Matuwid, higit pa nating mapapaarangkada ang mga inisyatiba para sa inyong sektor,” vowed Aquino. —ALG, GMA News