"Marami tayong itinuturing na bayani sa ating bansa. Mga bayaning ipinaglaban ang Pilipinas sa iba't-ibang paraan -- sa loob man o labas ng bansa. At sa selebrasyon ngayong taon, marapat lang na bigyan natin ng pagkilala ang mga 'bagong bayani' na nagpamalas ng kanilang talento sa mundo upang bigyang rekognisyon ang Pilipinas at Syudad San Fernando."
This was Mayor Edwin Santiago during the City of San Fernando's commemoration of National Heroes Day on August 27, 2019 at Heroes Park and Mini-Convention Center in Heroes Hall.
This year's celebration, which highlighted the contribution of local and national heroes and his so-called "new set of heroes," was attended by Santiago, along with Vice Mayor Jaime Lazatin, city councilors, heads of offices, local government unit employees, family and friends of heroes, among others.
Santiago was pertaining to several Fernandino champions of different international talent competitions who were recognized during the said celebration for bringing recognition not only to the city, but to the whole country, as well.
The recognition was staged following the wreath-laying ceremonies at the monuments of several local and national heroes at Heroes Park.
This was staged through the presentation of City Council resolutions that give recognition and commendation to the talented Fernandinos.
Leading the Fernandino recognized champs was Mark Joeghie Catacutan of Barangay Maimpis who clinched five medals during the World Championship of Performing Arts last July at Long Beach, California, USA, including four gold medals for group production, vocal solo-pop, vocal solo-gospel, and vocal solo-RNB/Soul categories, respectively, and a semi-finalist medal.
The students of Rhythm and Dance Center in Dolores, who brought home a number of medals from 2019 Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Competition in Chai Wan on July, also received recognition.
The young girls of RDC, with ages ranging from 7 to 19 years old, brought bronze, silver, and gold medals in different categories such as jazz solo/ensemble and ballet solo/ensemble.
Meanwhile, a resolution that also aims to give recognition and commendation to Police Senior Master Sergeant Dauphin Punzalan of Panipuan is also set to be drafted.
Punzalan won gold and bronze medals for Taekwondo during the World Police and Fire Games held in Chengdu, China. (PR)