By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY, Apr. 10 (PIA) -- The commander of 1st Infantry (TABAK) division and Zamboanga del Sur officials, during the 70th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) celebration on Monday at Rizal monument, expressed gratitude to the war veterans for the courage, heroism, and honor they gave to our country.
In his message read by 1st Infantry assistant division commander for operations BGen. Virgilio Felecito Trinidad Jr., BGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III said the celebration is indeed a fitting tribute to the gallantry, valor and heroism demonstrated by our war veterans during the 2nd World War, who are our source of pride and inspiration.
Cruz said the celebration aims to promote, preserve and immortalize not only the deeds of our veterans but more importantly, their ideals and principles with which our veterans who fought for –the love of our country, patriotism, freedom and democracy.
Our veterans, Cruz said, heeded their call of duty to defend our freedom and democracy amidst inadequacies of strong armed force. “Only the fire of fervor continuously burning in the hearts of their weapons by fighting gallantly against our foreign invaders,” Cruz added.
“Our commemoration will help the younger generation to value the legacies that our veterans have unselflessly given to us in which we continue to cherish for us to earn freedom and democracy,” Cruz said.
Governor Antonio Cerilles in his message delivered by provincial administrator Anthony Padayhag said the celebration recognized the important role of veterans who worked for the advancement of true and sustainable development, which is anchored in this years theme “ Beterano: Tagasulong ng tunay at Walang Humpay na Pagbabago”.
Cerilles said by introducing change thru good citizenship a strong community will be built. “The basic of building communities is thru change that will instituted by our citizens,” Cerilles said saying that in building community it requires to have a concerted efforts of everyone.
Mayor Samuel Co said the courage and patriotism of all our war heroes continue to live in the memory of every Filipino.
Co said their sacrifices and love of country taught us the lesson that we must be prepared to defend our freedom and democracy at all times.
“The heroism of our forebears is a lesson that we should never forget- the lesson to fight for freedom and continue fighting if we are to preserve it.”, Co added.
Co cited also the unity of Filipino and American soldiers in their struggle to survive the Death March inBataan on April 9, 1942 to preserve our freedom.
The chief executive concluded his speech by quoting Filipino diplomat Carlos P. Romulo’s most famous literary work “ I am a Filipino”.
“ I am a Filipino. In my blood runs the immortal seed of heroes – seed that flowered down the centuries of deeds of courage and defiance.
“I am a Filipino born to freedom, and I shall not rest until freedom shall have been added unto my inheritance – for myself and my children and my children’s children—forever,” Mayor Co said quoting Romulo.
Also in attendance are the Sangguniang Panlungsod members, Zamboanga del Sur Veterans district commander Claudio Porio, Philippine National Police, 1st Infantry Tabak troopers, Knights of Columbus, American legion, school heads of DepEd-city division, department heads, and city government employees. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)
In his message read by 1st Infantry assistant division commander for operations BGen. Virgilio Felecito Trinidad Jr., BGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III said the celebration is indeed a fitting tribute to the gallantry, valor and heroism demonstrated by our war veterans during the 2nd World War, who are our source of pride and inspiration.
Cruz said the celebration aims to promote, preserve and immortalize not only the deeds of our veterans but more importantly, their ideals and principles with which our veterans who fought for –the love of our country, patriotism, freedom and democracy.
Our veterans, Cruz said, heeded their call of duty to defend our freedom and democracy amidst inadequacies of strong armed force. “Only the fire of fervor continuously burning in the hearts of their weapons by fighting gallantly against our foreign invaders,” Cruz added.
“Our commemoration will help the younger generation to value the legacies that our veterans have unselflessly given to us in which we continue to cherish for us to earn freedom and democracy,” Cruz said.
Governor Antonio Cerilles in his message delivered by provincial administrator Anthony Padayhag said the celebration recognized the important role of veterans who worked for the advancement of true and sustainable development, which is anchored in this years theme “ Beterano: Tagasulong ng tunay at Walang Humpay na Pagbabago”.
Cerilles said by introducing change thru good citizenship a strong community will be built. “The basic of building communities is thru change that will instituted by our citizens,” Cerilles said saying that in building community it requires to have a concerted efforts of everyone.
Mayor Samuel Co said the courage and patriotism of all our war heroes continue to live in the memory of every Filipino.
Co said their sacrifices and love of country taught us the lesson that we must be prepared to defend our freedom and democracy at all times.
“The heroism of our forebears is a lesson that we should never forget- the lesson to fight for freedom and continue fighting if we are to preserve it.”, Co added.
Co cited also the unity of Filipino and American soldiers in their struggle to survive the Death March in
The chief executive concluded his speech by quoting Filipino diplomat Carlos P. Romulo’s most famous literary work “ I am a Filipino”.
“ I am a Filipino. In my blood runs the immortal seed of heroes – seed that flowered down the centuries of deeds of courage and defiance.
“I am a Filipino born to freedom, and I shall not rest until freedom shall have been added unto my inheritance – for myself and my children and my children’s children—forever,” Mayor Co said quoting Romulo.
Also in attendance are the Sangguniang Panlungsod members, Zamboanga del Sur Veterans district commander Claudio Porio, Philippine National Police, 1st Infantry Tabak troopers, Knights of Columbus, American legion, school heads of DepEd-city division, department heads, and city government employees. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)
