Consul General Emil Fernandez stands beside Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke during the ceremony (photo courtesy of Mark Salondaka)
11 April 2023, Honolulu - On 10 April 2023, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu commemorated the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) through a solemn ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Joining the ceremony were State of Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral John Aquilino, former Philippine Senator and Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, World War II (WWII) veteran Oscar Bangui and family, local and military officials, the Consular Corps in Hawaii and the Filipino community.
Philippine Consul General Emil Fernandez emphasized the strength of the PH-US alliance, seen through the 18,000-soldier strong Balikatan exercises and the 2+2 Philippines-United States Ministerial Dialogue happening this week.
Consul General Emil Fernandez delivers his welcome remarks during the Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration (photo courtesy of Mark Salondaka)
Lieutenant Governor Luke shared the historical importance of the Battle of Bataan and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, wherein a significant number of WWII soldiers are buried.
Admiral Aquilino highlighted the key lessons of the Battle of Bataan, including the value of strong partnerships, the courage of the human spirit, and the “power of forgiveness and reconciliation to forge a foundation of united values.”
Former Defense Secretary Mercado focused on the value of remembering our past and asked that we continue to be inspired by the men and women who fought in defense of democracy and face present “challenges with courage, commitment, and fraternal consideration of common interests.”
Former Philippine Defense Secretary and Senator Orlando Mercado is joined by Consul General Fernandez and Captain Aldrin Doctor, Armed Forces of the Philippines Liaison Officer to the US INDOPACOM, to offer a wreath.
WWII Veteran Oscar Bangui (holding wreath) poses for photos with Admiral Aquilino (3rd from left), Consul General Fernandez (2nd from left) and members of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project.
The Consulate General expresses its appreciation to Director Jim Horton, Mr. Gene Maestas and the staff of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, to Lieutenant Commander Luslaida Barbosa and the US Pacific Fleet Band, and to the officials and personnel from the US Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force, Coastguard and Space Force who provided support and assistance during the ceremony. (END)
