Thursday, June 21, 2007

Araw Ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week

Observance of the 65th Commemoration of the Araw Ng Kagitingan
and Philippine Veterans Week with the theme:
“Beterano at Salinlahi, Sandigan ng Matatag na Sambayanan.”


The nation observed Araw Ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week 2007 pursuant to Executive Order No. 203, series of 1987 and Proclamation No. 466, series of 1989, respectively declaring April 9 of every year as the Araw Ng Kagitingan and April 5-11 annually as the Philippine Veterans Week. The annual observance is held to commemorate the heroism and gallant deeds of our World War II veterans and to promote, preserve, and memorialize the principles, ideals and deeds of our war veterans and enhance patriotism and love of country, especially among the youth.

To ensure the success of the celebration, Secretary Jesli A. Lapus designates the Undersecretary for Regional Operations to represent the Department to the National Inter-Agency Task Force with the Special Events Unit headed by Ms. Luzviminda F. Dela Rosa as the Secretariat for DepED and Member of the Technical Working Committee.

Different activities were undertaken and were attended and participated in by the Department on the following dates and venues:

April 2 15th National Oratorical Contest held at the VFP Museum, Library and Archives, Veterans Center, Taguig City.

Students from the different regions competed in the contest with the theme: “Beterano at Salinlahi, Sandigan ng Matatag na Sambayanan.”


CYRILYN CLAIRE NICOLAS – adjudged as the Champion – from Region III, St. Mary’s College with her coach, Ms. Myrna Cuarto and the VFP-SDAI Regional Vice-President (RVP), Ms. Luzviminda Marasigan.


AVAN BAÑARES – is the Region VI entry and is from the University of Iloilo, with coach Ms. Erlinda Gerzon and VFP-SDAI RVP Ms. Milagros Balgos, won as the First (1st) Runner-Up. His oratorical piece was pronounced as the “BEST PIECE” because it touches the innermost emotions of the listeners and reader and that it answers the clarion call for the FILIPINO YOUTH.


BERNADETTE PALO (Region V) – from Partido State University, with coach Ms. Janice Badiola and VFP-RVP Ms. Edna Roa got the Second (2nd) Runner-Up position.


April 5 Sunrise Ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Taguig City. This ceremony provides the veterans an opportunity to honor their fallen comrades by way of laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. This also serve as the Kick-Off ceremony of the Philippine Veterans Week.


Wreath Laying Ceremony – different sectors particularly the youth (represented DepED students, Boy and Girl Scouts) pay homage to the veterans through floral and wreath offerings.


Review in Honor of the Veterans – Armed Forces of the Philippines’ way of honoring our veterans.

April 8 Tribute to All Filipino Heroes at the Corregidor Islands, Cavite. This ceremony is held to honor or pay tribute to all the heroes from the time of Lapu-Lapu to the Katipuneros of the Philippine Revolution, the World War II soldiers and guerillas, and even the participants of the EDSA Revolution. This memorial at Corregidor Islands, Cavite is “dedicated to the Filipino who knows to die for the love of freedom and liberty.”


April 9 Araw Ng Kagitingan at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat, Pilar Bataan – is celebrated in honor of the American and Filipino troops who defended the Bataan Peninsula against the Japanese during the WWII. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo represented by the Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita was the Guest of Honor (GOH). Also, the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Philippines, Her Excellency Kristie A. Kenney and His Excellency Ryuichiro Yamazaki, the Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, graced the occasion. Carla Katherine P. Pizarro, a fourth year student of Bataan Peninsula High School, read the message during the Tolling of Bells.


April 10 Paggunita sa Capas at the Capas National Shrine, Capas, Tarlac. This is our remembrance to the infamous DEATH MARCH and those held in captivity at the Camp O’Donnell concentration camp, not to relieve the pain but rather to remind us of the hardships and struggles that our gallant veterans endured during that time to serve as an inspiration to younger generations and for us to appreciate more the freedom we enjoy today. Our very own, Secretary Jesli A. Lapus was the Guest of Honor (GOH) on this very momentous occasion. Krizzle Anne G. Macalinao, graduated valedictorian of the Aranguren Elementary School read the message for the Tolling of Bells.


April 11 Sunset Ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Taguig City opens an opportunity to all the widows, sons, daughters, and kin to pay their respect to the departed veterans by lighting candles to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. This activity symbolizes the closing of the Philippine Veterans Week.


Flag Raising and Wreath Laying Ceremonies at the 41st Division (PA-USAFFE) Memorial Shrine at Tagaytay City was included to this years celebration to give recognition to the officer and members of the 41st Division, PA who bravely fought during the Battle of Bataan. Three (3) among the students of the Tagaytay National High School participated in the Wreath-Laying Ceremony namely: Loriel C. Yala, Kristine Marie T. Ronario, and Cherrie C. Orendain.

The Department of Education would like to acknowledge the attendance and participation of the following Divisions/Schools during the weeks’ activity:

Dr. Norma A. Adamos – Division Schools Superintendent, DepED NCR -Division of Taguig/Pateros;

Ms. Ester C. Tanguilan – Principal, Pateros National High School, and its teachers and students;

Ms. Natividad M. Jimenez – Pricipal, Signal Village Elementary School, and its teachers and students;

Dr. Flordeliza A. Magday – Schools Division Superintendent, DepED Region III - Division of Bataan, and its teachers and students;

Ms. Rosalinda S. Ibarra – Principal, Aranguren Elementary School, and its teachers and students;

Mr. Abelardo Corpuz – Principal, Capas National High School, and its teachers and students;

Ms. May G. Sawit – District Supervisor, DepED Region III, District of Capas West;

Mrs. Anita M. Rom – Principal, Tagaytay National High School, DepED Region IV-Calabarzon, Division of Cavite teachers and students; and

Ms. Evelina P. Barandoc – Principal, Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales, and its teachers and CAT students.

To all the veterans, we salute your victory in defending our freedom!



Center for Special and Commemorative Events
505 Bonifacio Building, DepED Complex,
Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600
Tel Nos. (+632) 637-5834
Telfax Nos. (+632) 637-5832
Trunkline No. (+632) 632-1361 loc. 2211
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CSCE History and Profile

By virtue of Executive Order No. 80, all cultural agencies under the Office of the President and Department of Education, Culture and Sports will be transferred to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) which shall exercise administrative functions over them. Among the cultural agencies which are attached to the department were:

1) National Historical Institute (NHI);
2) national Library (NL); and
3) records Management and Archives Office (RMAO).

In view of this, Secretary Andrew Gonzales formed the Special Events Unit (SEU) - under the Office of the Secretary - through DECS Order No. 97, s. 1999 for the coordination of the historical, cultural, environmental, educational, and commemorative events with Undersecretary Nilo L. Rosas as Chairman. This was amended by DECS Order No. 53, s. 2000 of which the Unit was placed under the supervision of Undersecretary Ramon C. Bacani.

Sometime on February 2003, then Secretary Edilberto C. De Jesus directed Assistant Secretary Teodoro R. Catindig to supervise SEU. From the time of its formation, Luzviminda F. Dela Rosa, Project Development Officer (PDO) II was assigned to be its Officer-In-Charge. On October 2004, an Office Order was signed by Secretary Florencio B. Abad designating Dela Rosa (then PDO III) to Head the Special Events Unit.

During the time of DepED Officer-In-Charge Fe A. HIdalgo, Assistant Secretary for Programs and Projects Vilma L. Labrador took the office's oversight function.

By virtue of DepED Order No. 30, s. 2007 dated May 3, 2007 which was signed into effect by Secretary Jesli A. Lapus, the Special Events Unit was placed under the direct supervision of Assistant Secretary for Special Projects Jonathan E. Malaya as its Officer-In-Charge.

At present, the unit has the following active personnel, namely:

1) Luzviminda F. Dela Rosa - PDO III;
2) Roy G. Manuel - Staff;
3) Alpha B. Aurel - Staff;
4) Joel M. Faustino - Staff; and
5) Albert C. Narag - Staff.

This unit is mandated to initiate, implement, coordinate, attend, monitor, and oversee the DepED participation and attendance to different historical, cultiral, environmental, educational, commemorative events and projects both national and local with all government agencies, non-government organizations, and the Office of the President requesting DepED participation.

CSCE Vision

We are people organization committed to a culture of excellence in public service. Believing that the most important resource of our country is its people, we make the task of Educating the Filipino child our singular mission.

We assist the Filipino child to discover his/her full potential in a child-centered and value-driven teaching-learning environment and thereby, enable him/her to create his/her own destiny in global community. We prepare him/her to become responsible citizen and an enlightened leader who loves his/her country and is proud to be Filipino.

We provide school system...

Where teachers and principals achieve the desired learning outcome not only because they are empowered, competent and accountable, but because they care;

Where administrators exercise visionary leadership responsive to emerging needs of the nation; ensure adequate resources; promote appropriate technology; create and sustain a conducive climate to enhance learning; and

Where the family, the community and other institutions actively support our efforts.

We affirm the right of every child especially the less advantaged to benefit from such a system.

This is our vision. With God's help, we dedicate all our talents and energies to its realization.

CSCE Mission

To provide quality basic education that is equitably to all and lay the foundation for life-long learning and service to the common good.