MANILA, Philippines - Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano will join President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and other government officials on Monday's celebration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Aquino will deliver the keynote address as guest of honor. He will also lead the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies.
Cayetano, on the other hand, will deliver the opening remarks at the program.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, along with foreign dignitaries, World War II veterans, and other government officials are expected to attend the event.
With the theme ''Pilipinong Tapat, Magiting at Makabayan: Ikaw ay Bayani sa Tuwid na Daan,'' the theme is meant to pay homage to Filipinos who offered their lives to bring back and preserve Philippine independence.
''The sacrifices of our Filipino heroes are deeply rooted in our hearts. We remember them for their works and we continue to draw inspiration from them,'' Cayetano said in a statement.
The Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig is a final resting place of Filipino soldiers, as well as heroes, martyrs and former top officials of the country.
Among those buried in the cemetery are defenders of Bataan and Corregidor siege and Filipinos who fought during the Philippine-American War and WW II. The cemetery also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The National Heroes Day is commemorated by virtue of Act No. 3827 enacted on October 28, 1931.
The law was enacted to accord proper honor and recognition to other heroes who are not remembered with their own legal holiday
