EXHIBIT HONORS FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Among those that the exhibit pays tribute to are the fallen soldiers in the Marawi seige, and Cebuano soldiers and heroes like Leon Kilat and Gregorio Abellana.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in cooperation with Museo Sugbo and other heritage groups, celebrated the 120th Philippine Independence Day with a photo static display and exhibit to honor local heroes and fallen soldiers who fought for the country’s liberty.

The Kagawasan Exhibit was intended to pay tribute to Filipino soldiers for their gallant effort from the time of Lapu-Lapu, the Katipuneros, the Philippine Revolutionary Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly in the recent war in Marawi City.

Sharing the photos and artifacts with the public in the exhibit at the Ayala Center Cebu was their way to honor the country’s fallen heroes.

Major Christian Uy of the Relations Service of the AFP said they wanted an exhibit that would appeal to the millennials, that is why they decided to hold it in a mall and open it to the public for free.

Uy said they want to show the public that heroes are not just people from the past who are portrayed in movies, and that there are also modern-day heroes like soldiers who shed blood to protect their country.

Museo Sugbo personnel helped the AFP with the event by transporting and arranging the artifacts.

“Gikan ni siya (artifacts) sa museum then gidala namo diri, which we don’t normally do kay dapat sa museum ra na siya. But given the objective of the AFP that they want to recognize our local heroes, we were allowed to assist,” said Ma. Cecilia Cabañes, a researcher at the Museo Sugbo.

Artifacts displayed in the exhibit include old books, clothes, vintage bikes, uniform pins, buttons, guns and weapons used and owned by several Cebuano soldiers and heroes like Leon Kilat and Gregorio Abellana. The artifacts were passed on to their relatives, who later turned them over to be preserved in the museum.

The exhibit also features photos from the war in Marawi City and other activities of the AFP, which were compiled and mounted by the Photographer’s Club of Cebu. Visitors will also see a list of fallen Katipuneros and soldiers who fought in Marawi.

Museo Sugbo is planning to hold another exhibit with the AFP this August.

Cabañes said the government should champion culture and heritage and said the local government units should consider working with the AFP to promote the exhibit.