As the Philippines celebrates National Heroes Day, it is but fitting to pay tribute to the most renowned Palawan Hero, Dr. Higinio Acosta Mendoza.
Born in July 27, 1898 in Puerto Princesa, he was still too young during the Spanish occupation and during the Philippine Revolution to fight against the Spaniards and join the Filipino insurrection.
The Philippines was under the American rule when Dr. Mendoza was able to study at Indiana University in the United States of America. He then finished his Bachelors Degree in 1921 and later on earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at Hahneman Medical College. Dr. Mendoza earned the distinction of having ranked 4th among the 400 examinees in Pennsylvania in 1929.
In 1930, he went back home and later chose to run in politics. And in 1932 he won the governors seat in Palawan. This was still during the American colonial period. He was also credited for passing a resolution to make Palawan as one of the states of the US.
His rule was short-lived as World War II happened and Japan invade most of Asia. The Philippines was not spared. Dr. Mendoza then organized the guerrilla fighting force for Palawan who resist the Japanese occupation.
He was later captured and on January 24, 1944, upon orders by the Japanese Imperial Army, beheaded in Puerto Princesa and gave his life to the ultimate cause of freedom.
His martyrdom is remembered to this day and his burial site is at Mendoza Park the center of activity in Puerto Princesa. To this day, people pay tribute to his heroism and one can say rewarded the same respect to his descendants who have now become politicians themselves serving the people in the city.
To all Heroes who died we hope we live to deserve the kind of sacrifice you made and if not, consider it still a work in process – kind of the sacrifice you made was just the beginning and it has not materialized yet.
To those heroes who are still living and doing the sacrifice for the benefit of the country in whatever form like the frontlines, the OFW, anyone who lends a helping hand to another thank you very much.
