IT IS connecting and reliving the past.
This is how Maj. Christian Uy, 3rd Civil Relations Group Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), described the AFP’s Photo Static Display exhibit at the Paseo Solana, Ayala Center Cebu which opened on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
The five-day exhibit which they also coined as “Kagawasan 2019” was opened in time for the 121st Independence Day celebration of the country on June 12.
This is the second year of Kagawasan of the AFP.
Uy said they used the word Kagawasan because it is the local dialect term for freedom.
He said they are aiming to educate the Cebuanos, through their exhibit, about the unsung Cebuano heroes who were not written about the history books.
“We want them to appreciate our forefathers who are the reason for our independence now,” said Uy.
Uy said they highlighted in their exhibit the Cebuano Katipuneros who led the battles in the island against the Spanish colonizers.
He said it is only right to give credit to them, the Katipuneros being the first soldiers in the country’s history, for they are considered the historic armed force in the country.
Through this, Uy believed they can instill in the minds of the people the significance of the country’s independence, that it was not attained overnight but through the blood, tears and sweat of the heroes.
Alex Fernandez, who only happened to pass by the exhibit, said the exhibit adds to his knowledge of history.
Fernandez, who is 62 years old, realized that he has little knowledge on Cebuano history despite being born and raised in the city.
He said he often heard the names Gen. Maxilom and Leon Kilat because these are names of the streets in the city, but he never thought that these names are of the people who sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom.
“This (exhibit) is very educational and after reading the details of their lives, I felt proud,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez plans to go back to the exhibit and bring his children and grandchildren.
Another visitor in the exhibit was Jaezyl Felicio who was so focused in reading the history of the name of the Republic of the Philippines when SunStar Cebu approached her.
The 30-year-old Felicio said she discovered things which she had not learned in school, and at the same time, she was able to refresh her learnings.
Highlighted in their exhibit, according to Uy, are the lives of some Cebuano Katipunero leaders like Gen. Arcadio Maxilom, Lt. Gen. Pantaleon Villegas who is more known as Leon Kilat, and the Aliño brothers from Talisay who are commonly known as Cuatro Aliños, as well as the battles they had won during 1898. Also found in the exhibit are the weapons they used.
They also highlight in the “Kagawasan 2019” the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy weapons and gear, as well as the recent accomplishments of the modern day heroes in the AFP Central Command, said Uy.
Lt. Jonathan Bueno, Naval Special Operations team leader, said they displayed their special operation equipments such as night vision goggles, scuba diving equipment and infrareds which people can try.
Uy said through this, they are also able to showcase the kind of security that the AFP is doing to protect the land, air and seas of the country and most especially the people.
To culminate the celebration of the Independence Day, the AFP has prepared a theater play on the Cuatro Aliños which is set to be performed on June 12 at the Ayala Terraces in Cebu City. (JJL)