Rain continued to pour but the people coming from different agencies were never impeded in front Rizal Monument Park of Pagadian City Hall as early as six to join the nationwide commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan to honor and pay tribute on the integrity and aspirations of those who had risked their lives for the country’s taste of liberty.

In his opening, SP Member Baldomero Fernandez provided the detailed background of the convergence and recognized the presence of the participants especially the veterans in which the theme relatively coined them as “ Ang Sigla at Inspirasyon ng kabataaan tungo sa tuwid na Daan”

“ This event is  very important to every Filipino because it reminds us of our duty to fight for the nation’s liberty  against any invaders and relative to this aspirations we recognized the heroic acts and deeds of an unknown Filipinos, who, for nation’s freedom fought to protect our territorial integrity” said Commander Claudio F. Porio, District Commander in the 1st Zamboanga del Sur Veterans District in his message.

BGen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz, III, commanding General of 1st Infantry Tabak Division inspired the audience saying, “They perished and their names were not even recorded in the pages of our history, however, once in our lives, we should not forget that the freedom we enjoyed today was fruit of their endeavor of risking their life.

“They are our veterans at sa inspirasyong ito ipagpatuloy natin and pagsusumikap na mapanatili ang minimithing kalayaan ”in a message of Commanding General Ricardo G. Cruz III, represented and read by Lt. Victor Tangawon.

City Mayor Samuel S. Co also acknowledged  the presence of the high-rank officials who manifested full support to the event, recognizing the DILG represented by Assistant Regional Director Pedro G. Cuevas Jr. and company.

On the other hand, Pagadian City Chorale sustained the atmosphere of the celebration as they rendered patriotic-theme songs such as the singing of “ Beautiful Pagadian and Bayan Ko” to cite a few.

Mayor Co emphasized that this gathering is not only a matter of coming together but mainly to relate the lessons, aspirations and experience of the early Filipinos who fearlessly faced their end like  Death March in Bataan and in Corregidor.

In closing he said“ We should not forget that the search for freedom  is the principle for their life-risking endeavor  and we are here to maintain this endeavor to our next generation.”

Floral offering in the Veteran’s marker and gun salute culminated the convergence.