76th Araw ng Kagitingan
(Day of Valor)
THIS year’s celebration of the 76th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), which is also known as Bataan Day, kicked off on March 24 with the launching of the Freedom Trail that traces the 160-kilometer Death March route from Bataan to Capas, Tarlac. President Rodrigo R. Duterte will lead this year’s celebration at the Dambana ng Kagitingan on Mt. Samat. Thousands of students, teachers, tourists, and visitors, including officials from the embassies of the United States and Japan, are expected to join the celebration.
Among the activities to mark the day are: A Parangal sa mga Beterano, a Senior Citizens’ Night, a history quiz, a Bataan Cooperatives and Entrepreneurs Night, a Military Band performance, Float Parades, and a Concert of the Koro Bangkal Magbikin an all-Aeta choir based in sitio Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan. The Department of Trade and Industry will host a Galing Bataan Trade Fair at the Plaza Mayor de Balanga to showcase locally made products.
Historical records reveal that after months of intense fighting, the Philippine and American armies in the Bataan peninsula, depleted of food, medicine, and ammunition, were forced to surrender to the invading Japanese forces on April 9, 1942. Unprepared for the large number of prisoners (nearly 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war), the Japanese transferred them from Saysain Point, Bagac, Bataan, and Mariveles to Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac, taking the San Fernando, Pampanga route. During the Death March, many prisoners perished.
Republic Act No. 3022, approved on April 6, 1961, declared the 9th of April as Bataan Day to be observed as a legal holiday. Later, Letter of Instruction No. 1087 dated November 26, 1980, declared May 6 every year as Araw ng Kagitingan. On April 19, 1985, Administrative Order No. 492 created an “executive committee to take charge of the planning and execution of commemorative activities for the Araw ng Kagitingan celebration.” On June 30, 1987, Executive Order No. 203 provided a list of regular holidays and special days to be observed throughout the country and for other purposes. The Executive Order declared April 9 as “Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan and Corregidor Day).” On July 24, 2007, Republic Act No. 9492 was issued designating the celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan and Corregidor Day) on the Monday nearest April 9. Beginning 2011, by virtue of annual presidential proclamations, Araw ng Kagitingan has been observed on April 9. Commemorative activities may however, begin prior to and extend beyond April 9 as seen fitting by the organizing committee.
As we mark this year’s 76th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan, we pay tribute to and offer prayers for our fallen war heroes who sacrificed their lives to obtain for us the freedom and democracy that we enjoy today. May we honor them by doing our part in safeguarding the principles, freedom, and democracy that they worked so hard to obtain for our country and our people.