PVAO leads webinar series depicting veterans’ heroism

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 15, 2021): PVAO leads webinar series depicting veterans’ heroism (By Venus May H. Sarmiento)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 15 (PIA) - - The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) has lined up a series of historical web-seminars that depict and showcase the heroism and gallantry of war veterans.

Sheryl Simeon, head of PVAO-field service extension office in Pangasinan, said

her office aims to ensure the welfare and well-being of veterans and perpetuate the memory of their heroic deeds.

“The Kagitingan Webinar Series aim to propagate historical awareness among the Filipino youth and other viewers regardless of age. Hindi natin mae-enjoy ang ine-enjoy natin ngayong freedom kung hindi dahil sa ating mga veterans,” Simeon said during the Kapihan sa PIA -Pangasinan forum on Thursday.



Sheryl Simeon, head of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) in Pangasinan bared during the Kapihan sa PIA that as of March 2021, PVAO -Pangasinan has been catering to 8,140 veterans with their families and dependents. However, as of the November 2020 data, there are only 127 living World War II veterans with the following distribution per congressional district - District 1- 20; District 2-18; District 3-23, District 4-10, District 5 -32 and District 6 - 24. (VHS)

She said Part 1 of the series has started last February 26 to May of this year. These webinars include: Bridging the Past and Present (April 15); Negros During the War (April 22); Battle of Ising Monument (May 6); The Makapili (May 12); The Collaboration Issue (May 21) and Series Finale: War in Cebu (May 27)

The second part of the activity, on the other hand, is set in August to September.

The Philippine Veterans Week, a commemorative event celebrated from April 5 to 11 of every year in remembrance of the valor of our Filipino freedom fighters also showcased activities such as the Sunrise wreath laying ceremony (April 5); Tribute to all Filipino Heroes (April 7); virtual gathering through Facebook at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in celebration of the 79th Araw ng Kagitingan ( April 9); Paggunita sa Capas (April 10) and Sunset Ceremony (April 11).

Simeon said more activities are laid down to constantly remind the young generation of the heroism and bravery of the forefathers and veterans.

PIA's social media card in commemmoration of the 79th Araw ng Kagitingan (RPM)

“Let the kagitingan and love for country inflame in our hearts. Maging Pilipino tayo sa puso at sa gawa. Ipakita natin ito sa pamamagitan ng respeto at paggalang hindi lang sa mga veterans kundi sa lahat ng nakakatanda,” Simeon said in the zoom interview.

Simeon also bared that as of March 2021, PVAO -Pangasinan has been catering to 8,140 veterans with their families and dependents.

However, as of the November 2020 data, there are only 127 living World War II veterans with the following distribution per congressional district - District 1- 20; District 2-18; District 3-23, District 4-10, District 5 -32 and District 6 - 24.

PVAO, as derived from the 1987 Philippine Constitution, guarantees that the State shall provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans. (JCR/VHS/PIA-Pangasinan)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1072419