City Commemorates ‘Day Of Valor’

In honor of our heroes and heroines who contributed extreme efforts for the liberation and freedom of our country, the city government here successfully commemorated the 74th Philippine Day of Valor on April 9, 2016 Saturday.

A Holy Mass was offered at 7:30 in the morning which kicked off the activity held at the Veterans Shrine in the city’s historical Plaza Independencia.

In his homily, Father Wesley Noel, Pastoral Director of the San Carlos Seminary College who officiated the mass underscored, “Today, we are called to be heroes in our own ways just like our soldiers who fought for our freedom.” He also reminded everyone to value Love as Success and Wealth will follow if we put Love first in our Lives, in our Families, Work, Ministry and Country.

For his part, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama pointed out that the Day of Valor also known as “Araw ng Kagitingan” is a day to remember our heroes and heroines who gave their lives and fought for our freedom.

The People’s Mayor also adhere with the homily of the priest to put love first and to give our lives for others, adding that to live is to give and living is about giving.

Meanwhile, the program proper was highlighted by the “Wreath-Laying Ceremony” and the “21-Gun Salute” to the Veterans Monument in Plaza Independencia.

For the uninformed, the ‘Day of Valor’ commemorates the greatness and heroism of the Filipinos during World War II who fought for our independence during dawn time on April 9, 1942 when the Japanese occupied the Philippines.

The celebration was also observed as a national public holiday throughout the country. The event here was spearheaded by the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission or CHAC.

Thousands also joined in the celebration including the employees of the city government here especially the Commissioners of CHAC, officials and members of various government agencies and offices, Uniformed Personnel from the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police and Fire Department, War Veterans, Muslim Communities, Knights of Rizal, Knights of Columbus, members of the local Media, and the General Public, among others. (Cebu City Public Information Office PIO/Greggy Jiggs P. Senados)