Military and civilian officials offer wreath at the bronze statue of the late First Lady Aurora Aragon-Quezon. Contributed photo
FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City – The late First Lady Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon was honored in a wreath-laying ceremony hosted by the Army’s 91st ‘Sinagtala’ Battalion at the Aurora Capitol grounds in Baler town on Friday.
Lt. Col. Reandrew Rubio, commanding officer of the 91st IB, said the activity that was participated in by several government and non-government agencies, coincided with the Aurora’s 42nd founding anniversary as a province.
Rubio underscored the well–loved first lady’s “unwavering efforts to promote the social welfare of the people of Aurora and the country.”
Wife of President Manuel Luis Quezon, Doña Aurora was active in the campaign to give Filipino women the right of suffrage, which was achieved in 1937 and was known for her involvement in the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and the Associación de Damas Filipinas, an orphanage in Manila, noted Rubio.
“She was also an honorary president of another orphanage, the White Cross, located in San Juan, Manila,” he added.
Doña Aurora died in an ambush on the mountain roads of Nueva Ecija leading to the province that now bears her name.
“We, in the Army, should not forget the services of Doña Aurora wherein she served as the first chairperson of the Philippine National Red Cross when it was established as an independent Red Cross Organization in 1947, and held the position until her death,” Rubio said.
With the theme “Galing ng Aurora Noon, Sandigan ng Pagbangon Ngayon,” the occasion kicked off with an ecumenical service at the Aurora Provincial Capitol compound.
The wreath-laying ceremony was led by Gov. Gerardo A. Noveras, Aurora Rep. Rommel Rico T. Angara, Vice Gov. Christian Noveras, Lt. Col. Rubio, among others.
Also present during the program were officials and representatives from government agencies, local chief executives, military and police personnel, non-government organization representatives, municipal mayors, sangguniang panlalawigan members, local officials, descendants of Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon, the Aurora Police Provincial Office, Philippine Coast Guard, local media, and other stakeholders.
Major Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., commander of 7th Infantry Division, also cited the significant contribution of the late first lady to the fight of the Filipino women during her lifetime.
“Doña Aurora Quezon’s service to the country was worthy of emulation and it is our privilege to honor this exemplary woman who has done so much service to our great nation and our Filipino people,” said Rosario.
