On August 26, 2024, the country commemorated the National Heroes Day to honor all the heroes and their legacy which one way or the other, had contributed to what we are today as a free and sovereign country. Their selfless courage and bravery truly shaped our country and ultimately defined our national identity which we can be proud of as a Filipino to the rest of the world.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) had spearheaded the event with the Theme: “Kabayanihan ng Pilipino sa Panahon ng Pagbabago”, highlighted by the Traditional Flag Raising and Wreath-laying Ceremony held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led in this year’s National Heroes Day Commemoration. He was accompanied by the House Speaker, Congressman Martin Romualdez; the Diplomatic Corps headed by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Archbishop Charles John Brown III; the National Defense Secretary, Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.; Emmanuel Calairo, Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.; the Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano; and other high ranking officials in the government.
While the celebration honored all the Filipino heroes who have sacrificed their lives and have shed their blood for the country’s freedom and independence, it also gave tribute to the nation’s modern heroes to include all the country’s workforce who had remained dedicated, compassionate and hardworking in their respective fields and specializations that significantly contributed to the growth of the Philippine economy.
“In our journey forward as a nation, we must break free from the notion that heroes are only those who have earned a place in the National Pantheon, immortalized in monuments, or those whose names are inscribed in streets, or whose lives are chronicled in biographies. Like the “Unknown Soldier” buried in this hallowed ground, unnamed and unheralded heroes too deserve their due recognition,” said PBBM.
“While the memories of our heroes of our storied past will never fade, new ones continue to emerge. They are here amongst us, in the daily bustle of modern-day society, in our communities, in our own families and inner circles,” he added.
Moreover, PBBM challenged the Filipino people to continue to strive similar to our heroes, may it be in ideals, in our career and professions, as well as in our respective local communities. “We need the unfading memories and shining examples of our heroes not only to continually remind us of the noble causes that have led them to their heroic deeds. We also draw inspiration from them for our self-improvement, and to possibly develop our own heroic potential. So, let us always tell the tales of the heroic deeds of our kababayans, whether they are in the country, or outside in the rest of the world,” he remarked.
“We shall not take their heroism for granted. We will not spare ourselves of the moral duty to perpetuate the ideals that they have fought for, and to rectify the unsafe, inequitable, or exceptionally difficult conditions that necessitated their selfless deeds. Failing in our duty, their sacrifices would have been all in vain. Collectively, their heroic acts, small or large, go a long way and make our country and the world a better place. To them, we once again earnestly dedicate this special day,” PBBM concluded.
The Nation’s Peacekeeper under the supervision of Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, PNP Chief, joins the entire country in paying tribute to the brave men and women who have fought for freedom’s sake. As we honor their sacrifices, the PNP organization in solidarity with the Filipino people aims to continue to strive for a peaceful, united, progressive, and a better Philippines.
