PLAZA SUGBO, Cebu City (August 29, 2022) — “We are all heroes if we do what is right. If you’ll be doing what is wrong, woe!”

This is Mayor Mike Rama’s challenged to everyone in his message in today’s celebration by the City Government of the National Heroes Day here this morning.

Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia, on the other hand, reminded everyone to look at our heroes as source of inspiration for their “wonderful qualities such as bravery, selflessness, patriotism, nationalism and deep love for country”.

Mayor Mike Rama gesture towards a display of the faces of national heroes during his speech at the celebration of National Heroes Day outside City Hall. He said emulating them means doing what is right, which include being honest, not stealing, paying off debts, refraining from rumor-mongering. (PIO/Allan Defensor)

“But our dear youth need not actually dive deep into our history books, nor scour through the gravestones in the Libingan ng mga Bayani to find heroes. One can easily find them today as they are also living among us. These everyday heroes deserve as much honor and respect on National Heroes Day,” he said.

He mentioned the medical frontliners, “who risked their own health and safety, sometimes isolating themselves from the ones they love for days at a time, in order to care for the ill.”

Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia paid tribute to medical frontliners, teachers, responders and volunteers for their sacrifices, hailing them as modern heroes. (PIO/Allan Defensor)

He also mentioned the teachers, who “were suddenly thrust to adapt to a system and mode of instruction almost entirely alien to them.”

“They were forced to be pioneers to a modular approach in education, which often times meant additional work with their already limited resources. Yet our teachers, for the sake of our children, rose to the occasion and silently carried on with their sacred duty,” Vice Mayor Garcia said.

One can easily find them (heroes) today as they are also living among us. These everyday heroes deserve as much honor and respect on National Heroes Day.

Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia

He likewise mentioned the disaster responders and volunteers, “who risk life and limb so that others may be saved when a calamity or disaster strikes”.

“They are our guardian angles here on earth, and though they too have houses, property, and family to protect, they leap into action for the sake of others, without any expectation of gratitude or renumeration,” he said.

“My dear friends, may we all emulate the national heroes in our history and in our everyday lives, so that we too can become heroes in our own right; to become heroes within our own circle of influence. In that way we can build a better city, better country, and a better world for the next generation,” Vice Mayor Garcia further said.

Mayor Mike Rama delivers his message at the podium as actors wearing the uniforms of Katipuneros and revolution Filipino soldiers and officers listen in this morning’s celebration of National Heroes Day outside City Hall. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

For Mayor Rama, emulating our heroes means doing what is right for the people of Cebu.

“We are all heroes, are we not?  Then do what is right. We are all heroes if we do what is right. If you’ll be doing what is wrong, woe! Baga mo og nawong! Mo-claim mo’g heroism sige mo og pangawat…tapolan mo nga dako…maglisod mo og mata og sayo… tsismoso kang dako…mangutang ka dili ka mamayad,” he said.

He also made potshot at those around joining the celebration but “in heart, mind, spirit” they are not really following the examples of the country’s heroes.

Members of the Philippine Army were also present during the celebration of National Heroes day outside City Hall. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

Prior to joining the wreath-laying ceremony for National Heroes Day at the monument of Jose Rizal beside City Hall, the mayor woke up really early for a walkthrough in Carbon Public Market at 5 a.m.  He spoke with the vendors and get their concerns, especially that Freedom Park has been cleared to give way to its restoration as a park.

He regularly does walkthroughs so he gets to meet event the lowliest people in the streets and learn straight from them their thoughts about the city.

We are all heroes if we do what is right. If you’ll be doing what is wrong, woe! Baga mo og nawong! Mo-claim mo’g heroism sige mo og pangawat…tapolan mo nga dako…maglisod mo og mata og sayo… tsismoso kang dako…mangutang ka dili ka mamayad.

Mayor Mike Rama

“You will never know what is going on until you are on the ground… We walk because we walk the talk. And there will be more walking bringing the department heads, bringing the barangay captain, bringing event the councilors,” the mayor said.

“Attendance in historical events is not enough…but walk the talk…less talk, more action,: he added.

Aside from Vice Mayor Garcia and a few city councilors, City Hall department heads led by City Administrator Suzanne Ardosa and officials of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines also attended this morning’s National Heroes Day celebration.  (PIO/rhm)

Mayor wants Lapulapu statue at City Hall