The City Government of Davao commemorated National Heroes Day on Monday, paying tribute to both historic figures who fought for the country’s independence, and modern-day heroes who continue to shape the country’s future.
During the event, Commodore Philipps Y. Soria, the Commander of Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Osmeña Park.
In his speech, Commodore Soria drew a powerful connection between the nation’s history and its present challenges. He explained that Philippine Coast Guard ships are named after women heroes like Gabriela Silang, Melchora Aquino, and Teresa Magbanua, representing them not merely as steel vessels, but as “floating symbols of the sacrifices made by women and men of the country.”
He also said that the bravery of the Philippine Coast Guard that is evident in the conduct of their duty was born from the courage of the country’s heroes and from Filipinos who continue to fight and preserve the country’s sovereignty.
“This bravery isn’t born from the sea. It originates from the spirit that lived in Gabriela, Teresa, and Melchora. It stems from every Filipino who dares to stand when it is easier to kneel, fight when surrender seems simpler, and serve,” Soria added.
He emphasized that the day is more than a remembrance of the past; it is a call to reflect and to take action.
This was echoed in a message by Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, read by Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte III. The message honored the sacrifices of historic heroes who “forged the country’s liberty” and urged the public to remember the unsung individuals whose silent defiance contributed to the nation’s freedom.
“The call for heroism has not ended but merely evolved. Our battle fields have taken various shapes in schools where teachers mold minds, in hospitals where healthcare workers save lives, in fields where farmers work to feed the nation, and especially in our homes where we strengthen our familial bonds and where our children first learn,” he added.
“It is our hope for everyone, especially the youth to collectively honor the memory of our heroes not with mere words but with action—by upholding the rule of law, promoting unity instead of division, and being heroes in our own rights,” Duterte said. CIO
