Holiday In The Philippines: The Day Of Valor

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Holiday Today: “Araw ng Kagitingan” or known as “The Day of Valor”.

Holiday in the Philippines is always unforgettable, most especially if we remember those heroic deeds of Filipino and American fighters who fought selflessly against the Japanese in April 9, 1942.Mt-Samat-Cross

 

So here are the highlights and trivia of every this annual celebration:

  • The Philippine President gives a speech at Mt. Samat Shrine, Bataan
  • It is a regular holiday of the country and many streets are closed and public vehicles’ routes may be redirected
  • This Day of Valor commemorates the heroism of Filipino and American fighters during Japanese attacks in 1940’s.
  • 76,000 Filipinos, Chinese, and American soldiers were led by Major General Edward King against the Japanese troopers on April 9, 1942
  • Thousands of prisoners from Bataan starved to d3ath (widely known as “Bataan D3ath March”) before reaching Camp O’ Donnell in San Fernando, Pampanga. 090803-F-1234S-023
  • The Bataan surrender is the largest in Philippine and American History
  • The Philippines was the last country that surrendered from the Japanese in Southeast Asia.
  • Republic Act 3022 made “Araw ng Kagitingan” a holiday – where an act of silence is observed
  • it is also known as “Bataan and Corregidor Day”
  • Bataan Day is also celebrated in Maywood, Illinois, USA, hometown of 192nd Tank Battalion members, a US Army unit that participated in the Battle of Bataan – though they don’t celebrate in on April 9 itself, their ceremonies and parades are being held every second Sunday of September.
  • Late president Ferdinand Marcos is the one who ordered the Mt. Samat Shrine to be built. It was constructed in 1966 in Pilar, Bataan and completed in 1970. The shrine stands on the site where great battles occurred.
  • Mount Samat National Shrine is also called “Dambana ng Kagitingan”
  • The musuem contains a collection of World War II photographs, uniforms and weapons – becoming the main tourist attraction of the province.

Families, group of friends, and employees take the time to visit the place and grab this day to relax and learn something from history. Would you also take the time too visit?

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