19 real heroes vs. dictatorship honored at Bantayog ng mga Bayani

Nineteen real heroes and martyrs who fought against the dictatorship have been included in the Bantayog ng mga Bayani's wall of remembrance. 

The ceremony on Wednesday, which lasted for four hours, coincided with the observance of the birth anniversary of hero Andres Bonifacio. 

The event was filled with emotions, notably indignation against the late Ferdinand Marcos, whose discreet interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani caught many by surprise last November 18. 

The new heroes enshrined at the Bantayog include its founding chair and staunch Marcos critic, former Sen. Jovito Salonga, who passed away last March.

This year's list also included the late Philippine Daily Inquirer editor-in-chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, and journalists Lourdes Estella-Simbulan and Antonio Zumel.

Youth leaders during Martial Law were also feted, including Eduardo Aquino, Fortunato Camus, Edgardo Dojillo, Joel Cecilio Jose, Marciano Anastacio Jr., Ricardo Filio, and Hernando Cortez.

The late beauty queen Margarita "Maita" Gomez and director Behn Cervantes were also feted, along with labor leader Simplicio Villados, soldier Danilo Vizmanos, Manuel Dorotan, members of the clergy including Bishop Julio Labayen, Romulo Peralta, and Jose Tangente. — RSJ, GMA News