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On Araw ng Kagitingan, Robredo calls for solidarity to overcome pandemic challenges
On Araw ng Kagitingan, Robredo calls for solidarity to overcome pandemic challenges
Vice President Leni Robredo is optimistic the country can overcome the challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic as long as Filipinos show unity and solidarity.
Just like the country's brave heroes who fought for the freedom decades ago, the vice president urged Filipinos to show the same unity and courage during these trying times.
"Tulad ng Bataan noon, nababalot tayo ng kadiliman ngayon dahil sa pandemya. Marami na sa atin ang nagsakripisyo, ang nagdusa, ang nawalan. Pero paalala rin ang araw na ito: Walang Pilipinong kailangang maging magiting mag-isa. Sama-sama tayo. Tulong-tulong tayo (Like in Bataan before, we are gripped by darkness today due to the pandemic. Many have sacrificed, suffered and lost. But the day reminds us that no Filipino need to be brave alone. Let us stay united. Let's help each other)," she said in her Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) message Friday, April 9.
"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 (With the guidance of our heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, I am confident we can overcome the challenges of these times. We can build, like what they dreamed of before, a country freer, more just and more compassionate)," she said.
Robredo also honored the heroism of Filipino soldiers who fell in the name of the country's freedom decades ago. She said they were ready to fight until the end and offered their lives for the nation.
In remembering these heroes, she asked Filipinos to try to emulate these brave fighters by showing love and compassion for their fellowmen.
"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 (In remembering our heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, we are called to emulate them in our own way, their love for fellow Filipinos, their hope even during the darkest moment, and their readiness to sacrifice for the greater good)," she said.
The country commemorates April 9 of every year as Araw ng Kagitingan to honor the Filipino war veterans who died or served the country. The national holiday remembers the brave Filipino fighters who fought alongside American soldiers during World War II. This year marks the 79th anniversary of the Day of Valor with the theme “Kagitingan ay Gawing Gabay, Pandemya ay Mapagtatagumpayan."