Araw ng Kagitingan 2015
April 11, 2015
BAGUIO CITY – The bravery and sacrifices of deceased and surviving World War II veterans were recalled once more during the Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration last Thursday at the Veterans Park.
With the theme, “Ipunla ang Kagitingan sa Kabataan, Ihanda ang Beterano ng Kinabukasan,” Congressman Nicasio Aliping, Jr., Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Vice-Mayor Edison Bilog gave their respective messages after the singing of the national anthems of the Philippines and the United States of America.
Wreaths were laid by the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP), United States Armed Forces in the Philippines- Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and city officials present; a 21-gun salute offered by members of the Philippine Military Academy and Taps sounded off.
Speaking in Filipino, Vice-Mayor Edison Bilog expressed heart-felt gratitude to the veterans’ sacrifices resulting to the freedom being enjoyed by this generation; “Kailanman, ito ay hindi po namin makakalimutan at magiging inspirasyong tutularan sa pagsisilbi sa ating mga kababayan.” He likened coordinated and united efforts shown by the veterans during World War II, as being stronger than individual endeavors; against the city’s modern-day problems. Peace and order, traffic, environmental degradation, among others, are problems being faced by the city, the vice-mayor said.
“We are proud inheritors of the sacrificial legacy of our local heroes against the Japanese Imperial Army 73 years ago this day,” Mayor Mauricio Domogan said in poetic Iloko. “We honor and treasure our veterans, the memorial of their bravery are in our hearts.”
The mayor was earlier informed that some of Baguio and Benguet veterans joined the Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Mt. Samat Shrine, Pilar, Bataan, as a few attended the program. Veterans’ widows, members of the Sons and Daughters of Association, Inc. (SDAI), as well as personnel from the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and PMA and the local government of Baguio were present.
Congressman Nicasio Aliping, Jr., also posed the challenge to the younger generation, for them to see sincerity, dedication, and the good examples of the veterans./Julie G. Fianza
