NHCP honors modern day heroes fighting COVID-19 on Araw ng Kagitingan

The Philippines celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9  to remember the heroic actions of Filipino fighters during World War II.

But this year, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) also acknowledges the fallen health workers who stood fast, and those who continue to resist and contain the "invisible enemy" — the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19).

"The heritage of Bayanihan is still with us today," the NHCP said in a statement, paying tribute to "our kind-hearted medical practitioners, soldiers, policemen, security guards and other men in uniform; legislators, national agencies, LGU and barangay officials; manufacturers, grocery store staffers, and delivery drivers; farmers, fishermen, poultry and hog raisers; journalists, media practitioners and field reporters; and donors who extended assistance to our less fortunate brothers and sisters."

For Araw ng Kagitingan, which coincides with the country's observance Maundy Thursday, the NHCP recalled an uplifting line that was broadcasted through the underground "Voice of Freedom" following the news of the historic Fall of Bataan on Easter Sunday in 1942:

"To all of them we give today the message of the anger of Easter morning: ‘Be not afraid, for He is risen'."

And now as the COVID-19 continues to affect the country, the NHCP say, "We, too, shall rise."

"Just as we had 78 years ago, with the verve and optimism in braving new solutions, we hold on to the collective strength of our national character, our innate compassion, our faith, and our bayanihan spirit — ideals that have always defined what it means to be Filipino," it said.

The NHCP also urged Filipinos to pray for their frontliners who continue to risk their lives in the fight against the disease that is gripping the country.

"May we continue to unite and persist in hope, as our nation calls all of us to stay in our homes, and in our own way, encourage, support, and pray for our frontliners and the economically vulnerable, and even those in the line of duty at this pandemic battlefield," it said.

"As with all darkness that our country has faced, this too shall pass. And we shall emerge victorious," it adds.

The country has lost many of its brave doctors and health workers to the COVID-19 threat in the Philippines, which has claimed 182 lives and infected a total of 3,870 people as of Wednesday.

At the same time, many Filipinos are enduring hunger and the loss of their livelihoods due to enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and other parts of the country.

—Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News