Araw ng Kagitingan: The Day of Valor in the Philippines

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Araw ng Kagitingan: The Day of Valor in the Philippines

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Hello everyone! Today is a very special day for us Filipinos! Araw ng Kagitingan or the Day of Valor is celebrated every April 9 each year in the Philippines and it is celebrated in commemoration of the fall of Bataan peninsula during the World War II or the Japanese occupation in the Philippines.

By virtue of Executive Order No. 203, s. 1987, April 9 of every year is Araw ng Kagitingan. Proclamation No. 466, s. 1989 on the other hand, designated April 5 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week in order to “promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and deeds of the Filipino war veteran as a means to enhance patriotism and love of country, especially among the youth of the land.” | Source

On April 9, 1942, the joint forces of Filipino and American army which was considered as the main resistance in the war against the invading Japanese army forcefully surrendered due to depletion of food, medicine and ammunition.

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According to sources, the submission was conveyed by 3rd Lt. Normando Ildefonso Reyes through the Voice of Freedom radio broadcast by reading a message prepared by his superior Capt. Salvador P. Lopez that Bataan has fallen to the Japanese. | Source

“Bataan has fallen. The Philippine-American troops on this war-ravaged and bloodstained peninsula have laid down their arms. With heads bloody but unbowed, they have yielded to the superior force and numbers of the enemy.”

According again to some sources, the siege and defense of Bataan lasted 93 days after the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE – later renamed to USFIP) retreated to Bataan. | Source

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An approximately 76,000 Filipinos and Americans were held as prisoners of war (POW) on the dawn of that historical day. With this large number, the Japanese then moved their captives to their base in San Fernando Pampanga which is 140 kilometers away from Bataan by mere foot. This was known as the “Death March of Bataan”.

As expected, many of these POW have died before reaching their destination due to starvation, dehydration, diseases, untreated wounds and exhaustion. It is hard to estimate the exact number of deaths during that horrible event as the loss was really substantial but it is believed that almost half of them died on their way.

The resistance made by our brave soldiers in Bataan was very significant in a way that it gave the Japanese forces a hard time capturing all the US bases in the Pacific. This also gave other Philippine and US forces to prepare for battles thereafter.

Bataan peninsula was recaptured on February 8, 1945 by the combined freedom forces of Filipinos and Americans, almost 3 years after the fall of the said stronghold.

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Today, Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor is commemorated to remind us the bravery and the sacrifices of our ancestors in fighting foreign invaders to bring back the freedom that we deserved! This week is intended to honor those who rendered honorable military services in defending our country in times of conflict.

P.S. my grandfather was a World War II veteran fighting under the stronghold of Leyte. You will be remembered forever Tatay Pedro. We love you, thank you for your service!

Reference:
http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/araw-ng-kagitingan/
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/araw-ng-kagitingan
https://publicholidays.ph/araw-ng-kagitingan/

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