Baguio: A son of a World War II (WW2) veteran on Wednesday urged the public to research and know the story of the war that spawned patriotism and heroism among many Filipinos. 'My siblings and I are lucky that our father was educated before he became a soldier and he was able to chronicle his stories which he wrote in a manually typewritten manuscript, which we were able to read and see what transpired,' Floremon Esteban, one of the sons of veteran Florencio Esteban, told the Philippine News Agency on the sidelines of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) commemoration program at the Veterans Park here.

According to Philippines News Agency, Esteban's father belonged to the 11th Division of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) and survived the Death March during WW2. Esteban said he grew up hearing the stories of their father before the war as an altar boy and when he took his oath of allegiance to defend the country during WW2.

Esteban shared that he and his siblings were able to read a manuscript written by their father. 'He has a thick manually typewritten manuscript detailing the blow by blow events based on his personal recollection of how they reached San Fabian to augment the forces, how they survived, how they were returned to Baguio and managed the formation of other troops that continued until liberation,' he said.

In his message during the program, Esteban shared the content of the manuscript that was turned into a book. He emphasized the importance of researching and knowing the story so that people can put it in their hearts and continue to remember the sacrifices of those who fought to liberate them.

Esteban expressed gratitude to the city government for ensuring the visibility of the names of the veterans written on the memorial wall at the Veterans Park. 'The inscriptions are not mere letters but names of Igorot and Ilocano families who all contributed to our freedom,' he said.

The commemoration and remembrance programs also served as a reunion for families who share the story of having a father or a mother who served during the war. City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a message during the program, acknowledged the courage and sacrifices of heroes like Florencio Esteban who survived the Death March and shared his personal story about the war.

Magalong remarked that this day serves as a living reminder of the courage and sacrifices of heroes who fought in the battle of Bataan. He urged Filipinos to reflect on the legacy of their heroes in today's world, emphasizing that valor can be exhibited by any person as a public servant or ordinary citizen by upholding truth, justice, and freedom.

'Nawa'y alalahanin natin ang naging sakripisyo ng ating mga sundalo sa lugar ng Bataan at magsilbi itong inspirasyon sa atin na mamuhay ng matapat, matuwid, mapagkawang gawa, makatao maka bayan na lumalaban kontra sa korapsyon (May we remember the sacrifices of our soldiers in Bataan and make them our inspiration in our lives to be truthful, honest, service and people oriented fighting against corruption),' he said.