63rd Victory Day rites held in Kiangan

By Robie Halip

Kiangan, Ifugao--- The surrender of Gen. Tomoyoki Yamashita that ended the Japanese regime in the Philippines and entailed victory among the Filipino soldiers during the World War II was again reminisced by surviving war veterans and their sons and daughters last September 2 at the Kiangan Memorial Shrine.

The theme of this year’s Victory Day celebration went “The bravery and sacrifices of war veterans…Our glory and victory forever”. This event was graced by Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and Usec Ernesto Carolina both from the Department of National Defense (DND).

The 63rd Victory Day celebration started with a simple wreath laying ceremony at the old Home Economics building of the Kiangan Central School where Gen. Yamashita surrendered and at the Kiangan Shrine where Sec. Teodoro, USec Carolina and other local officials each offered a wreath in honor of the veterans. Veterans and their sons and daughters from Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and other municipalities of Ifugao attended the said event.

In his speech, Sec. Teodoro said Victory Day is not merely the celebration of the surrender of Gen. Yamashita and the struggles of the Filipino, of the North and of the veterans. “These struggles,” he said, “must not be seen as merely historical events. These struggles symbolize the very essence of what a country should be.”

“If we keep on looking back without looking forward we do dishonor to all those we call our heroes” he further stated. As a challenge he told the people that they must unite and overcome the struggles of today.

Gov. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. also delivered a message and emphasized his program against illiteracy, poverty, illegal gambling and graft and corruption. He reiterated the programs, implemented and ongoing, of the provincial government to answer the said social evils stated above like enterprise development programs, support to education and health programs and empowerment of the out of school youth and unemployed to become skilled workers through vocational trainings offered by TESDA.

“However,” he said, “our efforts can never be enough. We need the cooperation of all sectors of our community, from our officials in the national, provincial, municipal and barangay governments, the nongovenrment organizations, business sectors and the people.”
Baguilat called for unity to free the society from poverty, illiteracy, corruption and illegal gambling.

“By working as one,” he concluded, “the valor and sacrifices of our war veterans will not be rendered meaningless as they fought hard for our liberty with the hope that one day, we their children can live in a nation where there is genuine justice, peace and freedom. Let us not fail them.”

A dialogue between the veterans and USec. Carolina was conducted after the program.