PH Consulate General in Honolulu Honors Filipino and American Veterans on Araw Ng Kagitingan
Philippine Consul General to Honolulu Emil Fernandez (center, left) and FilVetREP Hawaii Director Wilfredo Tungol (2nd from right) led the wreath laying ceremony to honor Filipino and American veterans on Araw ng Kagitingan at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Also in the photo are Ms. Esperanza Bangui Ruda, daughter of Filipino veteran Mr. Oscar Bagui (center, right), Ms. Joey Badua (3rd from right), daughter of Filipino veteran, and officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate. (Honolulu PCG photo)
HONOLULU 11 April 2024 – Philippine Consul General to Honolulu Emil Fernandez led the Consulate in a solemn wreath laying ceremony commemorating the valor and heroism of Filipino and American veterans during the 82nd Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor on 08 April 2024.
The ceremony, held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu, was attended by Mr. Wilfredo Tungol, Director of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), Ms. Esperanza Bangui Ruda, who represented her father Mr. Oscar Bagui, a Filipino veteran, and Ms. Joey Badua, daughter of the late Filipino veteran.
Accompanied by Capt. Aldrin Doctor, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFL) Liaison Officer to the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Consul General Fernandez offered a wreath on behalf of the Philippine Consulate. Representatives of Filipino veterans and Mr. Tungol likewise offered a wreath on behalf of FilVetREP.
In his remarks, Consul Fernandez highlighted the goal of cultivating “a deeper appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today and foster unity among the Filipino people, inspiring collective efforts toward a brighter future.”
This aligns with the theme “Pagpaparangal sa Kagitingan ng mga Beterano: Saligan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino,” of this year's commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan to emphasize the importance of honoring the bravery and sacrifices of our veterans in today’s society.
After the wreath laying ceremony, the group toured the galleries containing mosaic maps depicting US armed forces’ actions in the Pacific.
The group posed for a photo beside the Philippine marker at the “Memorial Walk” of the Punchbowl cemetery, a pathway lined with a variety of memorial markers from various organizations and governments that honor America’s veterans. The Philippine marker is made up of a rock from Malinta Tunnel in the island of Corregidor, where President Manuel Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur led the last stronghold against foreign aggression in the Philippines during World War II. END
PH Consul General Fernandez delivers his remarks. (Honolulu PCG photo)
From left to right: AFP LO to INDOPACOM Capt. Aldrin Doctor, Consul Pamela Durian-Bailon, FilVetREP Hawaii Director Wilfredo Tungol, Consul General Emil Fernandez, Ms. Joey Badua, Ms. Esperanza Bangui Ruda, and Vice Consul Leizel Caasi. (Honolulu PCG photo)
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