EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones said that the Filipino’s bravery will be the key to defeating Covid19.

During the Virtual Symposium on the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, Briones said that Filipinos must draw inspiration from our ancestors’ victory in the Battle of Mactan in overcoming the Covid19 pandemic.

“The bravery and victory of Baganis will be our inspiration towards victory against Covid19…the time will come when we will defeat Covid19,” Briones said.

“Let us sustain within us the spirit of heroism and humanity in fighting the challenges of our time,” the DepEd chief added.

Bagani is a Manobo word for “warrior” and “leader.” It is also the title of the theme song of the 2021 QCP.

Meanwhile, Education Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla, who served as the Department’s representative in the National Quincentennial Committee, explained the essence of celebrating the historic event that happened on April 27, 1521.

“It ignited the Filipino spirit of bravery, humanity, unity, and heroism. Our founding fathers have offered and sacrificed everything to ensure and secure our independence as a nation. Therefore, it is our obligation as successors to fill in and safeguard our independence that our heroes earned,” Sevilla said.

In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the historical event, the Department of Education, alongside the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, hosted the virtual symposium to open the discourse on the role of the Philippines in the first circumnavigation of the world, victory in the Battle of Mactan, and other related events.