Philippine Consulate General in New York Honors Filipino Bravery and WWII Heroes at 84th Day of Valor Commemoration
Philippine Consulate General in New York Honors Filipino Bravery and WWII Heroes at 84th Day of Valor Commemoration NEW YORK, 10 April 2026 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York marked the 84th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) with a commemorative program held on April 8, 2026 at Kalayaan Hall in the Philippine Center. The event, titled "Valor Across Centuries: 80 Years of PH-US Ties and Evolution of the Filipino Hero," took place within the context of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States. The program explored the lineage of Kagitingan (valor) through a three-part narrative. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile opened the session by tracing the foundations of Philippine sovereignty to the revolutionary era. Col. Sonny Busa, Regional Director for the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), followed with a focus on the shared sacrifices at Bataan and Corregidor as the bedrock of the 80-year PH-US partnership. The session concluded with Col. Ralph Hibionada, Military and Police Adviser to the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN, who highlighted the 21st-century heroism of peacekeepers, global essential workers, and the diaspora community. Following a musical interlude by singer-songwriter Mark Anthony…