PARAÑAQUE CITY, August 31 (PIA) -- This year's commemoration of the Philippines' National Heroes Day paid homage not only to the heroes of the past, but also to those who are currently in the frontlines, risking life and limb to safeguard the nation in its battle against the highly infectious and deadly COVID-19.
"This year, we honor the heroes from our history to the present who gave their time, energy, and even their very lives to defend the nation from the threats that threaten its survival, especially with the crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic," the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) said.
Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay representing President Rodrigo Duterte led the flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
He was joined by NHCP Chairperson Rene Escalante, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Administrator Ernesto Carolina, and other government officials in the observance of the event.
The theme for this year's commemoration, "Tunay na Kabayanihan sa Paglaban at Pagbangaon " (Genuine Heroism in Struggle and Recovery), centers on the perseverance of the Filipino heroes in order to prevail against any adversity.
NHCP head said during an interview that the three main points of the theme is 1) Giving your life for the country; 2) battle against COVID-19; 3) the country’s recovery once it has overcome the pandemic.
“Dito kinikilala natin yung mga bayani na hindi gaanong kilala, at hindi napagtutuunan ng pansin,” Escalate said.
“Sa panahon ngayon madami tayong kinikilalang mga bayani, yung ating mga health practitioners, yung ating mga kapulisan, at yung ating mga men in uniform na nag mamando ng kaayusan at mga kalsada pati na rin po yung mga private organizations na tumutulong ngayon,” He added.
A message of President Duterte was shown during the commemoration lauding the heroes of today who continue to risk their lives fighting a different kind of enemy.
“Present day challenges post by the current public health crisis has given rise to modern day heroes the countless Filipino front-liners here and abroad who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic,” Duterte said. (PIA-NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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