• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez led the celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan at the newly-inaugurated Veterans World War II Memorial Square at the city public plaza April 9.
The first-ever veterans’ monument in the province of Negros Occidental, inaugurated as one highlight event of the city’s 26th charter anniversary last month, is dedicated to the four resistance groups that fought against foreign aggressors.
“We all can be heroes. We can be great people of honor and valor without necessarily going to the battlefield, or going to war…I’d like to salute all of our heroes of yesterday and today,” Benitez said.
The wreath-laying ceremony and special program was attended by Victoriahanon WWII veteran, Corporal Rodrigo Olis Sr., relatives of other local war veterans, Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, city councilors, barangay, and Sangguniang Kabataan councils, department heads, uniformed personnel, city employees, and residents.
Councilor Dino Acuña welcomed the guests, and said, “May the lessons of the past war continue to inspire all of us to be good citizens and with nothing less in mind but to serve our country and our city with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our might.”
The Victorias City Sidlak Chorale and Tingog sang Kadalag-an 2024 champion Daisy Occeña rendered song performances in honor of the veterans.
Benitez earlier said the veterans’ monument “is designed to retell the stories of war and remember the valor of our war veterans and heroes. With this, their legacy will always be remembered, celebrated, and remain in our hearts forever.”
One of the highlight features of the monument is the marble slabs containing a detailed account of the events that took place in Victorias during the foreign enemy invasion, and the names of those who made significant contributions during WWII.
Meanwhile, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez and several councilors led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier at the city plaza.
“Today, we commemorate the 82nd anniversary of our Araw ng Kagitingan. Here in Bacolod, it is a day to honor the valor and sacrifices of our heroes,” Benitez said as he urged residents “to draw inspiration from them, and strive to be heroes in our own little way for our beloved city.”
“Don’t wait for others to act; our small contributions make a big impact,” the mayor stressed.
In San Carlos City, the commemoration began with the sounding of sirens by the Bureau of Fire Protection, accompanied by the tolling of church bells, followed by a brief ceremony held at Rizal Square at the public plaza.
Mayor Renato Gustilo, City Vice Mayor Christopher Paul Carmona, and Sangguniang Panlungsod members Victoriana Cabili, Jose Carlos Villarante, Armando Laguda Jr., Wilmer Yap, Philip Gerard Maisog, and Mark Cui, as well as local Department of Education officials, led by education program specialist II Eva Dollosa, and the chiefs of the PNP, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and BFP led the floral offering at the foot of the unknown soldier’s monument, which honors the valiant fallen heroes during WWII.
Maisog said in a press release that the Day of Valor coincides with the Philippine Veterans Week observance, and celebrates the bravery of those who played a crucial role in shaping the nation.
Dollosa also acknowledged the contributions of modern-day heroes, who have eased life during the pandemic, adding that every small contribution to society and the nation helps in creating acts worthy of the title ‘hero’.
Other attendees were LGU department heads, representatives from the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 605th Company 2nd Maneuver platoon, and members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines. | CGC
