09/04/2026
A Legacy of Valor: The Eternal Nationalian Spirit
In the halls of National University, we often speak of an "Education that Works." On April 9, 1942, that education transcended the classroom and became a shield for a nation in its darkest hour.
Today, we stand in silent tribute to five of our ownโNationalians who traded their books for bayonets and their graduation robes for the uniform of the brave. As they endured the grueling miles of the Bataan Death March, they carried with them the grit, resilience, and unwavering integrity that define our blue and gold.
We honor the names and the ultimate sacrifice of:
T/Sgt. Alfredo O. Pagatpat ๐๏ธ
S/Sgt. Valentin Belga ๐๏ธ
T/Sgt. Joseph A. Lynn ๐๏ธ
S/Sgt. Alfredo A. Arroco ๐๏ธ
S/Sgt. Conrado R. Ramos ๐๏ธ
Their journey did not end in Bataan; it continues through you. Every time you pursue excellence, every time you stand up for what is right, and every time you serve your community with honor, you breathe life into their legacy.
Patriotism is not just a chapter in a history bookโit is a living, breathing commitment to a cause greater than oneself. Let the courage of these heroes be the fire that fuels your ambition. They fought so that you could learn; they fell so that you could rise.
"May we walk our paths with the same steadfast courage they showed on theirs. Once a Nationalian, always a hero for the nation."
Laban, Nationalians!