Project Lakbay Aral Goes to Camp Aguinaldo

Upon the invitation of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), participants of VIDES Philippines Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program and Volunteer Teachers and  Instructional Managers of the VIDES Busina Mo, Dunong Ko (BMDK) Mobile Education Program attended the symposium on valor and heroism entitled "World War II Heroes in the Visayas".  

More than 600 students and representatives from various veterans organizations 
and national government agencies attended the symposium.

 
The event, which was part of the pre-Veterans Week activities organized by the Technical Working Committee for the National Observance of the 2013 Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week, was  held last March 13, 2013 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers Club (AFPCOC) in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City .  It was participated in by students from several high schools in Metro Manila and delegates from the Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

VIDES Philippines students and volunteers listen intently to the lecture

VIDES ALS students listen to Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta tell the story of her father, a World War II veteran who fought in the  infamous "Battle for Manila" in 1945

VIDES students and volunteers listened to the insightful talks and lectures given by Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta, Vice President of the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission; Dr. Luis Camara Dery, President of the Philippine Historical Association;  Dr. Ricardo T. Jose, Chairman of the Department of History, University of the Philippines - Diliman; and Professor Michael Charleston B. Chua of the De La Salle University - Manila.   The speakers shared the stories of valor and heroism during the World War II from the Filipino point of view.     

Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta

Dr. Luis Camara Dery

Dr. Ricardo T. Jose

Professor Michael Charleston B. Chua

A very lively open forum with selected veterans leaders was facilitated by Dr. Evelyn Songco, Executive Director of the Philippine Historical Association.  Veteran Claro O. Daulo, Sr., Col Manuel F. Segura, Cdr Ricardo B. Madayag, Prof Teodorico P. Calica, and Col Paterno V. Villoria passionately recounted their experiences as freedom fighters and energetically answered the questions of the audience.    

Veteran leaders served as panelists during the open forum

Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Eduardo G. Batac, who gave the closing remarks, enjoined everyone to "cherish our freedom and to never forget the people behind our liberty." 

Veteran leaders pose with Defense Undersecretary Eduardo G. Batac
and PVAO Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina

It was indeed an enriching journey to our country's past.  The students and volunteers were so thrilled to have met and have been inspired by our nation's living heroes.

VIDES students and volunteers with Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) leaders.

Sending you happy thoughts...