‘Wall of Heroes’
THROUGHOUT the world, people, including Filipinos, erect monuments or install giant statues in public places to honor their heroes and other outstanding sons and daughters.
And in the Philippines, an impoverished Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 million people, Bonifacio Day (November 30) and Rizal Day (December 30) are legal holidays.
Of course, Dr. Jose P. Rizal of Calamba, Laguna is the country’s national hero, while Andres Bonifacio of Tondo, Manila founded the KKK, which led the revolt against the Spaniards.
Today, however, a different monument is being built at the “Libingan ng mga Bayani” in Taguig City to honor the fallen frontliners in the nationwide fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
No less than President Rodrigo Duterte bared the good news in his speech marking the 123rd “Philippine Independence Day” celebration yesterday at the Bulacan Capitol Grounds in Malolos.
The “Wall of Heroes” is dedicated to the frontliners – medical doctors, nurses, military personnel, law enforcers, local and barangay officials – who died because of COVID-19.
The names of the fallen frontliners will be inscribed on the wall, which is being constructed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, according to the Chief Executive from Mindanao.
The tough-talking Duterte said our frontliners risk their own lives and sacrifice their own comfort and security to ensure that our society will continue to function despite the crisis.
In another “Philippine Independence Day Message,” President Duterte called on the Filipino people to emulate the nation’s heroes by “devoting ourselves to the common good.”
He said the challenges in the past year brought about by the paralyzing COVID-19 pandemic “tested our character as a nation.”
And we share the view of President Duterte that Filipinos will overcome these many challenges, with the hope that the “patriotic fervor” continues to burn in our hearts.
