The Day of Valor in the Philippines Araw ng Kagitingan, also known as the Day of Valor, marks the greatness

of Filipino fighters during World War II. It is marked on or around April 9 in the Philippines each year. What do people do? Araw ng Kagitingan is a non-working holiday that is part of a long weekend in the Philippines. World War II veterans parade in different cities in the Philippines on this day. There are small parades in different localities in the Philippines but the Araw ng Kagitingans main highlight occurs when the countrys president gives a speech at the Mt. Samat Shrine, in the Bataan province, to commemorate the heroism of the Filipinos and American troops during the World War II. Public Life Araw ng Kagitingan is a regular holiday in the Philippines and occurs on or around April 9. Many streets are closed and public transport routes may be redirected to give way for parades. Malls and other leisure areas remain open and most people may go to these places and use this day as a family day. Background The Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) honors the gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers when they demonstrated their unending patriotism and fought during the World War II. It is also for those men and women who sacrifice their lives for democracy, freedom and peace during this era. Filipinos commemorate on April 9 of each year at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan. Bataan Peninsula was an ideal defensive stand against the invading forces during the Second World War. Preserving it was crucial in preventing the enemies to seize Manila Bay, the finest natural harbor in the Far East. From all corners of the Philippines came youthful and brave soldiers and guerillas to make their courageous stand against an implacable enemy that had marched through Asia. Bataan was witness to how these bold soldiers fought relentlessly, choosing to die rather than surrender to the enemies who were superior in number, stronger, and better equipped. At dawn of April 9, 1942, over 76,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to surrender and became prisoners of war (POWs). They endured the 90-mile (about 145-km) Death March from Mariveles and Bagac in Bataan to San Fernando train station in Pampanga. Thousand of prisoners died along the way due to dehydration, starvation, untreated wounds and diseases. In San Fernando, the Death March became a death ride by cargo train when the prisoners were packed so densely into boxcars that many of them perished from suffocation. Those who arrived alive in Capas, Tarlac had still to walk the last and most agonizing miles of the Death March, six kilometers more to Camp ODonnell, which became known historically as one of the most hellish concentration camps of World War II. But the horrible Death March was neither sufficient to conquer human dignity nor man consecrated service to humankind. 1

Bataans downfall hastened the surrender of Corregidor on May 6, 1942. But the defense mounted by the Filipino and American soldiers that lasted for more than four months bought America valuable time to repair the heavily damaged Pearl harbor thereby restoring a cordon of defense around the Pacific. This also forced the Japanese to slow down, giving the allied Forces adequate preparation for all-out offensive years thereafter. In military parlance, the surrender in Bataan and Corregidor were tactical defeats but strategic victories. Now 70 years hence, Bataan, Corregidor and Death March, serve as reminders of our veterans unparalleled gallantry and valor, showing the world that Filipinos could fight against all odds, and die if need be in defense of their motherland.

Sources/References: New Stamp Releases. (2012, May 09). 70th Anniversary of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan Commemoration). Retrieved from http://www.phlpost.gov.ph/web/70th-anniversary-of-valor-araw-ng-kagitingancommemoration/ Time and Date AS. (n.d.).The Day of Valor in the Philippines. Retrieved from http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/araw-ng-kagitingan