FVR hails veterans; calls for new heroes
LINGAYEN—Former President Fidel V. Ramos, leading the observance of the 67th Lingayen Gulf Landings and Pangasinan Veterans’ Day on January 9, thanked the veterans for fighting for the country’s freedom in World War II and called on Pangasinenses to become modern-day heroes themselves.
He said as the world now faces a war against poverty, ignorance, and diseases, the province must pursue excellence in the 5Ts: tourism, teaching, technology, teamwork, and total performance.
At the same time, Ramos confirmed that “it was in Lingayen Gulf” where General Douglas MacArthur and his troops landed in 1945 to liberate Luzon from the Japanese occupation. His statement affirmed an earlier statement last year of former Pangasinan Governor Conrado Estrella Sr about MacArthur’s landing.
The commemoration of the Lingayen Gulf Landings and the Pangasinan Veterans’ Day is on its third year now, made possible by Provincial Resolution 331-2007.
HONORING VETERANS
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the launching of the book “Biographical Sketches of Pangasinan Heroes of World War II”, written by Deborah I. Beltran-Castillo and Dr. Cecilia Beltran-Daranciang.
The book features the lives of veterans, including Commanders Marcelino dela Cruz and Demetrio Cabiles, who fought during the Second World War.
Castillo, in her message, said that the book is about the extraordinary courage of ordinary individuals who selflessly gave their lives for the freedom of the country and its people.
Copies of the books were presented to the living veterans present during the event, some of whom are featured in the book.
One of the veterans, Martiniano Natan from Malasiqui, said, “Balbaleg ya salamat ta naitdan kami onya gaway impanlingkor mi ed Pilipinas nen kumadwa ya bakal.”
The book is published by the Philippine Veterans Bank with the support of the provincial government.
The celebration started with a thanksgiving mass presided by Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the veterans monument, then a cultural show by the Dangoan Pangasinan group.
A medical mission for the veterans and their families was later conducted, along with the distribution of gift packs.—(With reports from Johanne Macob, UPB and PIA-Pangasinan)
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