11 Martial Law martyrs, heroes honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani

Eleven martyrs and heroes who fought against the injustices of the Marcos dictatorship were honored by the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation on Thursday.

Engraved on the Wall of Remembrance were the names of Tayab (Arthur) Aboli, Cesar Cayon, Coronacion Chiva, Jose Dizon, Pablo Fernandez, Lumbayan Gayudan, Antonio Ma. Nieva, Sabino Padilla Jr., Francis Sontillano, Dalama (Elma) Villaron, and Alfonso Yuchengco—joining hundreds of other activists who lost their lives during the Martial Law period.

Martyrs and heroes during the Martial Law period are honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani this evening pic.twitter.com/UF6KgZhWkA

— Jessica Bartolome (@jacbartolome) November 30, 2017

Wall of Remembrance bearing the names of 11 new martyrs and heroes unveiled in Bantayog ng mga Bayani pic.twitter.com/EOu4r9efLw

— Jessica Bartolome (@jacbartolome) November 30, 2017

Their families gathered at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Center in Quezon City to receive plaques of recognition. Some brought posters honoring the memory of their loved ones.

Other guests include former DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, and Edita Burgos, whose activist son Jonas Burgos was abducted in 2007.

Taguiwalo recited a poem she wrote when she was imprisoned at Camp Crame during the Martial Law period.

Former DSWD Sec Judy Taguiwalo recites a poem that she wrote when she was imprisoned during the Martial Law period pic.twitter.com/C6JcQhsUdS

— Jessica Bartolome (@jacbartolome) November 30, 2017

The families of the heroes expressed gratitude for the recognition awarded to their loved ones.

Erlinda Pedroso, daughter of activist Coronacion Chiva, said that the honor was worth more than any fortune.

“Ang saya namin, parang nasa alapaap kami kasi kahit wala kamig pera, hindi kami mayaman, sobra pa ito sa ginto, kahit ano pang kayamanan,” she told GMA News Online.

“Ang gusto lang namin masaya kaming magkakapatid na na-recognize ang aming nanay na hero,” she added..

Attendees light candles in honor of the heroes and martyrs of the Martial Law period pic.twitter.com/wSEpqWoHhW

— Jessica Bartolome (@jacbartolome) November 30, 2017

— BM, GMA News