Dante Arcilla Jr., chairman of Cebu City’s Cultural and Historical Commission, delivers a short message during the wreath-laying ceremony on Monday, August 30, 2021 in celebration of the National Heroes Day. | Screengrab from Cebu City Public Information Office FB page
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – “We have to make [the] extraordinary by advocating [for] the truth, advocating goodness, [and] by always standing [up for] what is right.”
This was the jest of the message that Dante Arcilla Jr., the chief of staff of Vice Mayor Michael Rama, delivered during the city’s National Heroes’ Day celebration on Monday, August 30.
“I guess that is the key to be able to recognize and honor truly, that [the] freedom [that] we enjoy today is the product of the sacrifices of our forebearers. And the society, our descendants will inherit tomorrow, will be [the] products of our sacrifices today,”Arcilla added.
Since the city remains under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until September 7, the city government organized a short program this year to honor individuals who are heroes in their own little ways.
Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Rama, the chairperson of the Cebu City’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC), also skipped the celebration and instead sent their respective representatives.
Arcilla represented Rama during the celebration that started with flag raising and the offering of flowers that were held at the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum grounds located along Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City.
The celebration with the theme: “Heroism of Each Filipino, Key to Victory and Humanity” was held at the city museum that houses paintings of historic battles that were led by local heroes including including Datu Lapulapu.
Other paintings found at the museum include scenes from the Battle of Tres de Abril which happened during the Spanish era and the Siege of Sudlon during the American occupation.
“The message there is that apart from the heroes, we recognize those who led our people… those people who actually led the heroism. Those people whom everyday decided to be part of that revolution, those who decided that everyday they will stand for the truth and those who decided that everyday, they will sacrifice a part of their lives, those who offered their time, those who offered their energy to be able to do something good for each and everyone. Heroes took [the] lead to be extraordinary,” Arcilla said.
Arcilla added that heroes are not just those who died for the country and the Filipino people.
Even those who displayed compassion, shared their knowledge, and helped form and shape the nation can also be considered heroes.
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