Clark execs honor Roxas' 68th death anniversary

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2016/04/16/clark-execs-honor-roxas-68th-death-anniversary-468289
• Saturday, April 16, 2016

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- Officials of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) led the commemoration of the 68th death anniversary of Manuel Roxas, the fifth president of Philippines.

Roxas was born in Capiz (now Roxas City) on January 1, 1892 and died at the age of 56 in Clark Air Base on April 15, 1948.

He served as president from May 28, 1946 to April 15, 1948. Prior to this, Roxas was the third president of the Commonwealth and the first president of the Third Republic.

CDC President Arthur Tugade said he asked the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to allow the development of Roxas shrine in front of Clark’s main building and rearrange the former president’s statue.

“Before we celebrate the 68th death anniversary of President Roxas, we were given the blessing to rearrange the statue to manifest respect love and sense of patriotism as a Filipino,” the CDC head said.

Tugade thanked and congratulated the former president’s relatives, headed by lawyer Manuel Roxas (grandson), who attended the ceremonies.

“Sana ho yung handog namin sa inyo, kasama ng mga board of directors and men and women of CDC ay magustuhan ninyo. Sana rin ho sir ay yung konting pagsasaayos ng mga shrines at memorabilia na ating pangulo ay nagustuhan ninyo sapagkat ito ay galing sa aming puso,” Tugade told the Roxas family.

Roxas thanked the CDC for initiating the commemoration of grandfather's death anniversary.

Local officials led by Pampanga Third District Representative Oscar Rodriguez and businessmen, including former CDC president Levy Laus, and his wife, Tess, graced the occasion.

“To commemorate his death anniversary and his coming 125th birth anniversary on January 1, 2017, ceremonies are being held nationwide on this day from Isabela to Bukidnon,” Roxas said.

The former president dedicated his entire life to public service and served his country in various positions including Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate president, he said.

Roxas was subsequently elected as president of the Philippines but his term was cut short because of his untimely death in Clark, he said.

"It is our fervent hope that his memory which we celebrate today will remind our future leaders of the legacy of 'country before self' and inspire them to follow his example of integrity and selflessness," he added.