Tribute

Before you go off to celebrate your Valentines, I think it would interest you to know
that The Legenda Aurea of Jacobus de Voragine, compiled about 1260 and one of
the most-read books of the High Middle Ages, gives sufficient details of the saints
for each day of the liturgical year to inspire a homily on each occasion. The very
brief vita of St Valentine has him executed for refusing to deny Christ by the order of
the "Emperor Claudius" in the year 280. Before his head was cut off, this Valentine
restored sight and hearing to the daughter of his jailer. Jacobus makes a play with
the etymology of "Valentine", "as containing valor".
Now when I speak of Valor, I remember the forty four. Note I no longer call them
fallen, for that time is passed. They should be remembered not for having died but
for having performed their duty. Their creed or oath, sworn to, under our anthem
which ends in Ang mamatay ng dahil sayo. In English To die because of you or in
its proper context The joy of dying while fighting against a tyrant or someone who
wronged you.
My dear friends, please remember that as you breath, as you hold your significant
other right now. (Perhaps you just went out of a restaurant, or you just enjoyed a
movie and is now scrolling down facebook while walking to your car) Someone died
in order for you to continue enjoying the freedom of doing all the things earlier
mentioned.
I wanted to post this a week ago, a time when I was drafting something for
Congress. But I believe my workload in coordination with fate deemed it fit that
today is a better day to salute a few brothers who were called too early in the line of
duty.
I call them brothers not because Im in the army. The closest thing I have to Valor
in contrast to the forty four is that I watched the movie Act of Valor over ten
times. But like their surviving comrades, I too have lost a brother I have been in the
trenches with. A brother from another mother, who is a principal reason why as of
now although my mother and father both only have two sons, I have over a hundred
brods. A brother whose life was too taken abruptly. Too soon.
From a thankful citizen and brother in life.
I salute you!
Mabuhay!