OLD STORY OF STRUGGLE | A visitor drops by on Sunday at an area of Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City where veterans of World War II are buried, particularly those who took part in the Battle of Bataan now commemorated as Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) shows to the whole world the Filipino people’s “indomitable spirit” in the face of challenges and adversity, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Sunday.
“From the battles fought in the trenches of World War Il to the struggles against insurgent forces, the Philippines has faced numerous challenges that tested our faith yet showed the world the indomitable spirit of every Filipino, the president said in his message.
Defined by their feats rather than their trials, Filipinos have “a nation that stands tall and proud, guided by the principles of justice, truth, and democracy,” he added.
“We have staunchly proven time and again that we are never the same after each adversity for we always rise to meet every challenge head-on with grit, grace, and determination,” he said.
To honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in pursuit of democracy and freedom, the president said that “we may also reexamine our values and honor their lives by speaking up against discrimination, extending help to those in need and working toward a better future.”
“May we also learn to make wise and sound decisions so that we may address our country’s pressing problems with compassion and concern for others,” he added.
As the nation commemorates the sacrifices of the country’s forefathers who fought long and hard for its freedom, the President called on Filipinos to “bear in mind that our actions today determine the future of our country, including the succeeding generations.”
“Together, let us strive toward developing a more humane, fair, and progressive society that allows our citizenry to relish their liberty and achieve their individual and collective aspirations,” he said.
Marcos is expected to lead the state ceremony for the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, or the Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Monday, which he earlier declared a holiday to give Filipinos a longer weekend and to separate the Araw ng Kagitingan activities from Easter Sunday.
The ceremony is organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.
Formerly known as Bataan Day, April 9 commemorates the surrender in 1942 of Filipino and American forces to the Japanese invaders during World War II. Bataan Day first became a national holiday in 1961 through Republic Act No. 3022.