By Gen. (Ret.) Reynaldo V. Velasco
The challenge is for you…to become heroes of your generation. Whether in your own home, your school, or your workplace, you can be heroes if you walk the extra mile to help other people in your own little way, help preserve peace and democracy within your own community and the whole country
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management of Philippine Veterans Bank, I would like to thank my fellow Cavalier, Mayor Benjie Magalong, for his warm welcome to our Traveling Exhibit.
This is the third venue for the exhibit, having started in the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center on September 3 for the commemoration of the surrender of the Japanese troops in 1945.
The exhibit was then transferred to the Philippine Military Academy on September 15-30 upon the invitation of PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen Rowen Tolentino.
This time, with the assistance of the City Government of Baguio and the partnership with a private company, SM Baguio, we are opening this exhibit so that more people will be able to see it, to rekindle and appreciate our rich Philippine history during World War II.
Equally important, we should emulate the valiant virtues our forefathers taught us, such as bravery, patriotism, and love of country, which all of us can show even now in our daily lives at this time of peace.
Role of Baguio during World War II
There are many historical accounts about the role of Baguio during World War II.
The war in the Philippines actually began in Baguio when Japanese planes bombed Camp John Hay, in the first overt attack on Luzon, soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii that started the Pacific War.
The war also ended in Baguio upon the surrender of Japanese forces, led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita, on September 3, 1945.
Baguio, known as the country’s summer capital, had its own strategic military value.
The US Army had a small garrison in Camp John Hay and there were two Philippine Army camps in the city itself: Camp Henry T. Allen, which had been the site of the old Philippine Constabulary Academy in earlier years, and Teachers Camp, temporary home of the Philippine Military Academy.
There was also the Philippine Constabulary detachment at Camp Holmes (now Camp Dangwa).
History also tells us it was also in Baguio where Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon stayed when WW II started.
Towards the end of the war, President Jose P. Laurel held office in Baguio.
Through the years from World War II to the modern Philippine history, Baguio has produced heroes, many of them from the Philippine Military Academy who were enlisted as officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police or other uniformed services who fought for God, country and people against local and foreign dissidents in the fight against terrorism and to preserve and protect our democracy. Many of these heroes were as young as many of you here today.
New revolution brewing in Baguio
I am elated to know that a new kind of revolution has been started here in Baguio City led by no less than Mayor Benjie Magalong whose “anti corruption for good governance crusade” has caught fire not only from well-meaning citizens but even from his fellow mayors all over the Philippines.
They now call themselves Mayors for Good Governance.
About 100 mayors joined the M4GG
Among its convenors were Mayors Benjamin Magalong of Baguio, Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Marcy Teodoro of Marikina, Rommel Arnado of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, Sitti Hataman of Isabela in Basilan and Felipe Remollo of Dumaguete.
Allow me to cite an excerpt of the impassioned speech last August 23 of Mayor Magalong and I quote:
“Corruption is now pervasive in the entire political spectrum, not just among political leaders, but also national agencies. We want to raise awareness on the evils of corruption and the benefits of good governance, hoping that one day, the people themselves will demand good governance from their leaders.
“Good governance is about a politics of hope, goodwill, and understanding, and encouragement, not a politics of frustration, hate, or criticism. It is not a politics of lie, but a politics of truth.”
The noble objectives of M4GG include: embracing a strong public service orientation; putting the welfare and needs of our citizens at the forefront of our agenda; decisions will prioritize the common good over personal or political gain; manage public funds prudently and responsibly, saying their budget allocations will be directed toward projects and programs that yield the greatest benefit to constituents; to recognize the importance of citizen participation and role of people empowerment, as well as the role of the youth in governance and decision-making; among others.”
Thus, the challenge is for you, our young people, to become heroes of your generation.
Whether in your own home, your school, or your workplace, you can be heroes if you walk the extra mile to help other people in your own little way, help preserve peace and democracy within your own community and the whole country.
More importantly, let’s all support Mayor Benjie Magalong, who might someday lead this country, as his crusade has lighted a candle of hope, courage, rage and purpose for every Filipino to reclaim their basic rights in carving a better future for our beloved Pilipinas.
Once again, thank you SM for the venue to provide a wider audience to our exhibit.
Thank you, Mayor Magalong for your support and I commend you for your leadership of Baguio City into becoming a model city above all the cities in the Philippines, literally and figuratively.
(Speech delivered during the opening of the Veterans’ Travelling Exhibit in Baguio City on Oct. 3, 2023 by the author, chairman of FilVets, the association of Filipino war veterans and a member of the board of directors of the Philippine Veterans Bank, is also the chairman emeritus of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating watershed protection through tree planting.)