The Provincial Government of Cavite, in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), the City Government of Cavite, and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), commemorated the historic Retaking of Corregidor Island, under the theme, “Liberation’s Legacy: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future” on February 16, 2025.
The solemn ceremony, held at the Pacific War Memorial, Corregidor Island, Cavite City, marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces and paid tribute to the heroes who fought for the nation’s freedom.
The event began with the National Anthem, followed by a Wreath Laying Ceremony, where representatives from key institutions honored the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice: Ms. Catherine E. Sta. Clara, Corregidor FTEZ Administrator, representing Mr. Mark T. Lapid, Chief Operating Officer of TIEZA, Councilor Jesus Jet Barrera II, representing Cavite City Mayor Denver Christopher Chua, Capt. Jason Letho, US Coast Guard Attaché, and Mr. Chad Kinnear, Deputy Director of Public Engagement, Public Affairs Section, representing the US Embassy, Asec. Domingo Carbonel Jr., representing Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu of PVAO, Asec. Christine Joy Cari, representing Secretary Christina Frasco of the Department of Tourism, Mr. Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Atty. Rodolfo D. Uy III, Provincial Administrator of Cavite, representing Governor Athena Bryana D. Tolentino, accompanied by Col. Julius T. Yncierto of the Philippine Navy Marines General Staff Corps.
Following the wreath-laying, Councilor Jesus Jet Barrera II delivered the welcome remarks, setting a reverent and reflective tone for the commemoration. He stressed that “Freedom is never free; it is earned”, and urged everyone to honor the heroism of the veterans and fallen heroes not just with words but through actions that uphold patriotism, unity, and duty to the nation. The keynote speech, given by Atty. Rodolfo D. Uy III, underscored the significance of Corregidor Island in the country’s history and the enduring legacy of freedom and resilience. He, likewise, paid tribute to the bravery of all those who fought and supported the war effort.
A tour of the Corregidor Island was also held during the commemoration to provide a deeper appreciation of its historical legacy.
The Provincial Government of Cavite expressed gratitude to all participants and attendees for joining this meaningful gathering, uniting to honor the past, celebrate the hard-won peace, and inspire future generations to uphold the ideals of democracy and unity. (H. Villa)