Former Senator Richard J. Gordon urged Filipinos to do their share in reclaiming the glory days of the Philippines being one of Asia’s powerhouse in economy and military strength.

On the 75th anniversary of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK), Gordon talked about the sacrifices made by Captain Conrado Yap and the thousands of Filipinos who fought in the Korean War which could serve as an inspiration for every Filipino to do more.

According to Gordon, Yap was only 30 when he gave his life at Yultong Pass and that ultimate sacrifice earned him major awards: the Philippine Medal of Valor, the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross, and in 2018 South Korea’s Taegeuk Order of Military Merit.

“Captain Yap was my kababayan from Candelaria, Zambales. He was just 30. Like many who went with him, they never got to raise families. They went willingly—for a higher cause: freedom, democracy, the betterment of humankind,” said Gordon.

In his speech, Gordon emphasized the importance of choosing leaders that will lead the country into reclaiming the Philippines’ military strength in Asia.

“Once, we were Asia’s number one. Today, we are Asia’s used-to-be. We find our future on foreign shores. We bow our heads, squander our resources, and send our best abroad, while others build ships, aircraft, and industries. The real shame is not poverty — it is forgetting the sacrifices that bought our freedom,” said Gordon.

“If we do not wake up, if we remain complacent, we dishonor our heroes. Stop wasting resources. Invest in education, defense, and justice. Choose leaders who serve, not actors who pretend. We must not wait for heroes — we must become them.”

The activity was attended by Korean Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Lee Sang-hwa, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Executive Director Carminda Arevalo, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator and Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, veterans, and their families.

Gordon concluded his speech by linking PEFTOK’s sacrifice with the Filipino legacy of resistance—from Lapu-Lapu who struck the first blow for freedom, to Rizal who gave his life to awaken our conscience, and to Captain Yap whose last act was one of supreme bravery in spirit.

“Their message is the same: the Filipino must never yield,” said Gordon.