Former Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro graced “Parangal sa mga Beterano”

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – Thousands of people trooped to the Capitol Compund to watch the much awaited parade of floats, foot parade, armed forces bands and the “Parangal para sa mga Beterano.”

The scorching heat of the sun did not dampen the enthusiasm of the people to watch the parade which started at Plaza Mayor of Balanga City, joining the parade were the Knight of Columbus (KC), REACT, PNP, Girl and Boy Scouts, RED Cross and many more groups.

First District Representative Geraldine Roman’s welcome message, touched the heart of the ailing veterans, especially when she said, “ang mga beterano ay mananatiling nakaukit sa ating mga puso dahil sa paghahandog nila ng kanilang buhay para sa ating kasarinlan.”

Governor Albert Garcia took great in saying that as we commemorate the “Araw ng Kagitingan,” which is synonymous to the FALL of Bataan, we are now in the RISE stage of Bataan.” He made mention of the developments happening in the province, such as: Bataan is a the first province declared as Drug-Free, we are now insurgency free, the government arsenal in Limay is now a Defense Economic Zone, the Mt. Samat in Pilar town is now a TIEZA flagship project, Bataan is the second province, first is  Davao City with the 911 emergency rescue call, with the construction of the “bunker” serving as a one-stop-shop for all local and national offices which will cut short the processing of papers for Bataenos. In closing he said, “isang inspirasyon ang ibinigay ng ating mga beterano, kaya’t dapat ipagpatuloy natin ang pagmamahal sa bayan na kanilang sinimulan.”

The highlight of the affair was the speech of the Guest Speaker, who was introduced by Mayor Ace Concepcion, former Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro, and his first public appearance after retiring from public office.

The respectable secretary said that the Garcia family has been very close to his heart especially with the late Congressman Tet Garcia, he also mentioned that he is amazed with what Bataan have achieved now and in relation with Araw ng Kagitingan, he said “ang mga Filipino ay likas ang katapangan, na ang anyo ng beterano ngayon ay ang pakikibaka sa kahirapan na dapat nating bigyan ng pansin at higit sa lahat, hindi dapapt kalimutan ang kanilang kagitingan, sa tinatamasa nating kasarinlan.”

The exhibition of the 3 branches of the Armed Forces bands, drum and bugle corps is also one of the highlights that stunned the crowd. The parade of the 12 historic floats from the different municipality all over the province, also reminded the people watching, how the veterans/soldiers suffered the misery of the war and the valor of the Filipino and American soldiers of WW II.