TODAY, April 9 is the country’s Day of Valor 2023 ( Araw ng Kagitingan ). This is an official regular holiday across the country. This year, since April 9 falls on a Sunday- Easter Sunday, the observance and celebration of this year’s Day of Valor which is also known as “Araw ng Kagitingan” in Filipino, will be tomorrow, April 10. It was ordered or mandated by the proclamation of our president, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. The president’s proclamation is pursuant to Proclamation No. 90, s. 2022, wherein Malacaῆang Palace declares April 6, 7 and 10 of the year 2023 a regular holiday in the observance of the Holy Week ( April 6-9 ) and the Day of Valor ( April 10 ). This year, 2023 is the 81st Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan celebration with the theme “Kagitingan ng mga Beterano, Pundasyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino”.
The Day of Valor is also known as “Bataan Day” or “Bataan and Corregidor Day”. It commemorates the fall of the Bataan peninsula during the second world war. At dawn of April 9, 1942, Major General King, of the United States Army was forced to surrender to the Japanese his over 76,000 Filipino, Chinese and American soldiers who eventually became the prisoners of war.
The Bataan peninsula fell after months of fighting between the Philippine and American armies and the invading Japanese. The united Philippine-US army, depleted of food, medicine and ammunition, was forced to surrender to the Japanese on April 9, 1942. The now prisoners of war consisted of 68,000 Filipinos and 11,796 Americans. The Japanese, unprepared for the large number of prisoners, decided to move them by foot from Bataan to another base located 140 kilometers away in San Fernando. On this forced trek, known as the “Death March of Bataan”, many prisoners died due to starvation, disease, dehydration and exhaustion on their way to San Fernando. Many prisoners were also murdered along the way. However, the prolonged defense of the Bataan peninsula hindered the Japanese army’s progress, enabling the Filipino and US forces to prepare for subsequent battles and ultimately win the war against the Japanese. The gruesome period during the war is used as a reminder of the courage tenacity and willingness to sacrifice to the point of death by the Philippine and American forces. It also is a day to remember Filipinos who continue to fight for freedom on behalf of the Philippines. Many parades are held involving World War II veterans in different cities. The main event is held at the Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan where the President of the Philippines and other dignitaries give speeches honoring the country’s veterans ( Araw ng Kagitingan 2023, 2024 and 2025 from https://publicholidays.ph, April 5, 2023 ).
As Filipinos, it is right and proper to celebrate the Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan every year in order to reminisce all the hardships and sacrifices of all our Filipino heroes just for us to have freedom or independence. During this celebration, we reminiscing the fall of Bataan peninsula and honor not only the Filipino war veterans but also to remember those who rendered military service in defending the country in times of war or peace. The Day of Valor is the right time to honor and acknowledge all the contributions of every Filipino war veteran in protecting our country and for preserving our sovereignty. The celebration of the Day of Valor aims to give honor to our Filipino heroes for all their courage and sacrifices for our country. Without them, maybe our country will not be free from foreign invaders who want to invade our country. But, because of what our Filipino war veterans and heroes, our country has freedom or sovereignty.
Let us instill in our hearts and minds, especially among our youngsters of today, the importance of celebrating the Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan every year. Let us teach our youngsters that they must continue celebrating the Day of Valor and must not forget this special occasion or celebration of our country. This celebration must be given proper value and importance by every Filipino since through our war veterans and heroes, our country obtains its independence from any foreign invaders. Our heroes did their best and offer their sweat, blood and life just for the sovereignty of our country, the Republic of the Philippines.
