Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso underscored the enduring unity and resilience of Manileños during the 81st anniversary commemoration of the Battle for Manila held at St. Paul University Manila.

The event was attended by war veterans, members of the diplomatic community, and government officials.

Domagoso said the occasion was not merely a remembrance of history but a tribute to a place that once served as a refuge for civilians in 1945 amid the city’s massive destruction. He noted that while Manila was devastated during World War II, the battle also marked the city’s liberation at the cost of immense sacrifice by Filipinos.

The mayor emphasized that Manila’s post-war recovery stands as proof of the people’s strength, describing resilience as not forgetting the pain of the past but choosing to rise despite it. He paid tribute to Filipino veterans, calling them living witnesses to the sacrifices that paved the way for the country’s freedom.

Domagoso also linked lessons from history to present-day challenges, citing climate change-driven disasters, public health threats, and the spread of disinformation and cyber risks. He called for renewed unity and bayanihan to keep Manila strong amid modern adversities.