by Miriam G.Desacada Tacloban City- The chamber fell silent. In his State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. paused — and spoke the names the nation had been whispering in grief. “To the parents of Chris Lorenz Fabian, Joyancee Separa, and Ayessa Nicole Dazo: we are all so very proud of the unflinching bravery and heroic virtue that you have instilled in your children. They are an inspiration to us all,” the President said, his voice steady but heavy. He called them more than victims. He called them proof of what it means to be Filipino. Their courage and selflessness in the June 2026 school shooting that shattered Tacloban City, the President said, embodied the best of us — _malasakit, tapang, at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa_ — especially when darkness falls. Tacloban wept that day. A whole country felt it. But from the heartbreak, a vow was made. Standing witness during the turnover of homes to new families, Tacloban City Vice Mayor Raymond Romualdez and NHA Assistant General Manager Alvin S. Feliciano listened as the President called on every Filipino: protect the children. In the wake of the tragedy, government agencies have moved to do two things at once: .Wrap the grieving families in stronger support .Rebuild trust in our schools with tougher safety measures to safeguard every learner Because the bravery of Chris, Joyancee, and Ayessa should never have been tested. And because the best way to honor heroes is to make sure no other child has to become one. Their names will not be forgotten.–Miriam Desacada Please share Post navigation ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: ONGCHUAN BACKS MARCOS CALL TO SCRAP SYSTEMS LOSS CHARGES
