PATRIOTS’ CAMP Filipino guerrillas resting at their camp pose for a photo, one of those found in the Guerrilla Unit Recognition Files (GURF).
MANILA, Philippines — In commemorating Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on Friday, Vice President Leni called on Filipinos to find hope amid dark times and to be ready to make sacrifices for the greater good, as shown by the country’s soldiers who died in World War II.
“Sa araw na ito, ginugunita natin ang kagitingan ng mga Pilipinong sundalong lumaban hanggang sa huli at inialay ang kanilang buhay sa ngalan ng ating bayan at kalayaan,” Robredo said.
(On this day, we are commemorating the courage of the Filipino soldiers who fought until the end and sacrificed their lives for our country and freedom.)
“Sa pag-alala natin sa mga bayani ng Bataan at Corregidor, tinatawag tayong tularan, sa sarili nating paraan, ang kanilang pagmamahal sa kapwa Pilipino, ang kanilang pag-asa maging sa pinakamadilim na sandali, at ang kanilang kahandaang magsakripisyo para sa mas nakararami,” she added.
(As we remember the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, we are called upon to emulate, in our own way, their love for fellow Filipinos, the hope that they had even during dark moments, and their readiness to make sacrifices for the greater good.)
Robredo likened the dark times during the fall of Bataan in World War II to the situation being faced by Filipinos amid the pandemic now.
“Tulad ng Bataan noon, nababalot tayo ng kadiliman ngayon dahil sa pandemya. Marami na sa atin ang nagsakripisyo, ang nagdusa, ang nawalan,” she said.
(Like in Bataan before, we are swallowed by darkness due to the pandemic. Many of us have already made sacrifices, many have lost their loved ones.)
Robredo added that the Day of Valor also reminds Filipinos that no one should be left behind in confronting challenges.
The Vice President also expressed confidence that Filipinos will overcome the hurdles brought about by the current crisis.
“Walang Pilipinong kailangang maging magiting mag-isa. Sama-sama tayo. Tulong-tulong tayo. At sa paggabay ng diwa ng mga bayani ng Bataan at Corregidor: tiwala ako: Madadaig natin ang mga hamon ng panahong ito. Makapagtataguyod tayo, tulad ng pinangarap nila noon, ng bansang mas malaya, mas makatarungan, at mas makatao,” Robredo said.
(No Filipino should get through this on their own. We should unite. Help each other. And through the guidance of what the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor have taught us, I’m confident: We will overcome the challenges of these times. We can build, like what they have dreamed of before, a country that is freer, more just, and more humane.)