SPM Maggay reminded, “We believe that this should be celebrated nationwide, because it is not only Cervantes, or Ilocos Sur that benefited from that victory, it is all the Filipino people. Without them [the veterans who fought in the battle], we would have [been of] different nationalities.”
“It is because of them that we are still Filipinos,” he reiterated to the attendees that morning on the very same day, June 14, 78 years back that the Filipino warriors made a great sacrifice.
He added that the Filipinos owe their very existence to this day to the war heroes of yesterday.
With the presence of Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) administrator, at the Bessang Pass Natural Landmark/Monument, the provincial board member voiced their persistent desire to have the commemoration of the victory a holiday celebrated by the whole nation.
Usec. Mapagu, who shared that standing in such a historical site made him have “goosebumps”, responded with affirmative and solid support echoing SPM Maggay’s words, “The 14th of June should be celebrated as a national holiday.”
“We will make this a reality because like what people say, we should celebrate victory instead of defeat. This is something I agree on,” he said.
Although it remained a plea for years, from the words of SPM Maggay, they continue to take a leap of faith and bring their voices together in hopes that as long as the echoes continue, it certainly won’t vanish and their resounding persistence may someday, eventually reach a glorious end. (JCR/AMB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)
