Robredo on Araw ng Kagitingan: ‘No Filipino has to be heroic on his own’

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday, April 9, likened the dark days of World War II to the country’s ongoing fight against COVID-19, as she rallied Filipinos to unite against this common enemy.

Robredo gave this message to commemorate Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), a national observance to mark the fall of Bataan during World War II and to honor those who sacrificed their lives for the country.

“Tulad ng Bataan noon, nababalot tayo ng kadiliman ngayon dahil sa pandemya. Marami na sa atin ang nagsakripisyo, ang nagdusa, ang nawalan. Pero paalala rin ang araw na ito: Walang Pilipinong kailangang maging magiting mag-isa. Sama-sama tayo. Tulong-tulong tayo,” she said.

(Like what happened in Bataan in the past, we are now cloaked in darkness because of the pandemic. Many of us have sacrificed, suffered, and sustained losses. But this day also reminds us: No Filipino has to be heroic on his own. We’re all in this together. Let’s help each other.)

“At sa paggabay ng diwa ng mga bayani ng Bataan at Corregidor, tiwala ako: Madadaig natin ang mga hamon ng panahong ito. Makapagtataguyod tayo, tulad ng pinangarap nila noon, ng bansang mas malaya, mas makatarungan, at mas makatao,” Robredo added.

(With the guidance of the spirit of the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, I have faith: We will overcome the challenges of the times. We can build – just as our heroes envisioned in the past – a nation that is more free, more just, and more humane.)

Robredo has recommended measures and also launched a series of initiatives during the pandemic, ranging from free shuttle services and provision of protective gear to frontline workers at the start of the pandemic to, more recently, free antigen tests in high-risk areas in Metro Manila and medical teleconsultation services via Facebook and Messenger.

In his Araw ng Kagitingan message, President Rodrigo Duterte likened the heroism of frontliners to that of Filipinos who defended Bataan and Corregidor in World War II. – Rappler.com