Araw ng Kagitingan (The Day of Valor)

The Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) is a national non-working holiday celebrated in the Philippines every 9th of April to commemorate the heroism of more than 76,000 brave men which included Filipino, Chinese-Filipino, and American soldiers who were forced to take a 90-mile (about 145 kilometers) hike to Camp O’Donnell in San Fernando during the fall of Bataan. Thousands of POW's (prisoners of war) died during the course of the infamous Bataan Death March due to dehydration, starvation, infected wounds, diseases, execution, and attempts to escape. It left the street sides with lifeless bodies of soldiers and only around 54,000 men were able to survive the dreadful march making it one of the most horrific war crimes committed by the Japanese empire during the Second World War.

Photo taken from: http://www.fecgp.org/html/bataan_memorial.html

Shortly after the conquest of Bataan, Corregidor fell under Japanese control. Despite the horrible defeat, the brave soldiers emerged as unforgettable heroes of the World War II. Bataan and Corregidor slowed down Japanese advancement in Southeast Asia giving enough time for the American forces to prepare. On February 8, 1945, the US and Filipino liberation forces retook Bataan and shortly thereafter followed the Japanese surrender which marked an end to the greatest and most bloody war the world has ever witnessed.

 As we commemorate one of the most significant parts of Philippine history that happened 70 years ago, we remember not their defeat but their selfless courage and gallantry all for the love and protection of national liberty. We salute the veterans as well as the heroes who fought for our country and its people. May they continue to inspire us and ignite our nationalistic spirit. Let us not forget their sacrifices and prove that we are still the "Filipinos worth dying for".

Let freedom reign in our dear motherland! May God bless the Philippines!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!

“To those who look upon us from afar, it must seem that the Filipino people have now descended into hell—into the valley of death. But we know that the patient and watchful men who said their simple prayers this morning in the hills of Bataan have not lost faith. . . . We, too, shall rise. We shall rise in the name of freedom, and the East shall be alight with the glory of our liberation! Until then, people of the Philippines—be not afraid!”

~ Voice of Freedom broadcast, Easter Sunday, 1942