DAY OF VALOR. Mayor Edwin Santiago (center) leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Death March marker in the old train station in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Friday (April 9, 2021). This is in line with the nation's commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan. (Photo by the city government of San Fernando)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Local officials here honored on Friday the medical workers and other front-liners during the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan.
Mayor Edwin Santiago said aside from remembering the deeds of the Filipino heroes, this year’s celebration also served as a tribute to front-liners who have sacrificed their lives in combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
"Ang kagitingan ng mga bayani natin noon ay nakikita natin ngayon sa ating kasalukuyang sitwasyon, sa pamamagitan ng mga medical worker, front-liner, at mga kababayan na nagmamalasakit sa kapwa-tao nila. (We see the bravery of our heroes in the past to the current situation through the medical workers, front-liners, and our countrymen who show concern to fellow human beings),” he said in a message.
Santiago, along with city tourism officer Ching Pangilinan, Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB)-San Fernando branch manager Marlon Mañalac, and personnel of the city police station, led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Death March marker in the old San Fernando train station.
Flowers were also offered at the station’s “Wall of Valor” where names of the Filipino war veterans, including Fernandino soldiers and doctors, are posted.
Pangilinan said despite the simple observance, the real message of the Day of Valor remains strong.
“Kung ikukumpara natin sa mga nakaraan nating pagdiriwang, mas simple yung kapamaraanan ng pag-aalala natin ngayon, lalo na nung sinimulan natin yung Covid-19 pandemic response. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na nakakalimutan natin yung mga importanteng tala sa kasaysayan lalo na sa ating siyudad at sa ating bansa (If we compare in the past commemorations, our way of remembering this time is simpler especially when we started our Covid-19 pandemic response. But it does not necessarily mean that we forget the important history dates, especially in our city and in our country),” she said.
Meanwhile, Mañalac said the PVB continues its operations to serve the families of the veterans.
“Patuloy pa rin natin silang inaantabayanan sa kanilang mga pangangailangan katulad ng pension nila (We continue to look after their needs, such as their pension),” he said. (PNA)
