Day of Valor and the Filipinos' bravery and unity

Dr. Jose Rizal

Today, is the country's 81st commemoration of the " Araw ng Kagitingan" also known as " Day of Valor" On April 9, 1942, holed up in their fortress amidst fierce resistance, thousands of American and Filipino soldiers and civilians surrendered to the numerically superior Japanese soldiers.

This historic war event in the country, popularly known as the "Fall of Bataan" is celebrated every 9th of April. To instill value and significance of this historical event among Filipinos, the celebration is declared a national holiday.

Center of defense

Bataan was the center of defense in the war against the Japanese soldiers as the place is the transit point of the invaders' logistical supply.

To keep their logistical transit unhampered, the Japanese had to defeat and secure Bataan from the Filipinos who were just office workers, farmers, and students against battle -hardened foreign invaders.

Death March

From the day of the surrender began what is notoriously known as ' Death March ' where around twenty thousand of more than 70 thousand captives died of dehydration and starvation.

The captives were made to walk over 100 kilometers from the Bataan to the concentration camps. Those captives who made it were survived on foods provided by civilians along the way.

Andres Bonifacio

Unity & bravery

This year's commemoration centers on the values of unity and bravery among the Filipinos as manifested by the American and Filipino soldiers.

Value of freedom

With renewed freedom, the Filipinos have been constantly reminded of its value and the manner by which the Filipino war heroes regained it.

The Fall of Bataan is very important that it is symbolically used by the Filipinos when referring to important things in life.

By: Samuel A. Escabarte is a licensed English Language and Literature teacher. You may follow this small website as I share with you the historical events, diverse culture, and stunning beauty of my small, yet beautiful country, the Philippines.

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