PILAR, Bataan — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the nation in commemorating the 84th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9, 2026, at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan, honoring the heroism and sacrifices of Filipino and American soldiers during World War II.
Joining the president in the wreath-laying ceremony were Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya and United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Robert Ewing. The officials offered flowers in memory of the veterans and victims of the Second World War.
The commemoration opened with an invocation led by Most Rev. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., Bishop of Balanga. The traditional “Tolling of the Bell,” a solemn tribute to fallen heroes, was led by Cupang Integrated School learner Prisca Angela Maureen L. Andales and Miguel Angelo C. Villa-Real, executive vice president of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) Sons & Daughters Association Inc.
Bataan Governor Jose Enrique S. Garcia III delivered the welcome remarks, followed by National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr., who provided a historical overview of the event. Messages were also delivered by Ambassador Endo and Ewing.
Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. later introduced the president, who emphasized in his speech that Araw ng Kagitingan symbolizes the Filipino people’s ability to rise above crises and endure challenges through unity and strength of character. Following the program, Marcos met with veterans and their families who attended the ceremony.
Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the heroic defense of Filipino and American forces during the 1941–1942 Defense of the Philippines campaign in World War II. For more than three months, the Allied forces—despite being poorly supplied and equipped—resisted the advancing Imperial Japanese Army in the mountains and jungles of Bataan.
After the fall of Bataan, thousands of prisoners of war were forced to endure the infamous Bataan Death March, a grueling journey of more than 100 kilometers from Bataan to Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac under extreme heat and with little access to food and water.
Despite the defeat, resistance continued across the country through guerrilla warfare, as Filipino fighters carried out operations against occupying forces, aided prisoners of war and civilians, and gathered intelligence that contributed to the eventual liberation of the Philippines in 1944–1945.
Paggunita sa Capas Honors Death March Victims
Meanwhile, remembrance rites continued on April 10 during the annual “Paggunita sa Capas” at the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac, honoring the victims and survivors of the Bataan Death March.
Representing the NHCP was Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Projects Alvin R. Alcid. Senator Loren Legarda served as guest of honor and led the flower offering ceremony.
Other dignitaries who offered flowers included Czech Republic Ambassador Karel Heijc, Department of National Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Pablo M. Lorenzo, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Tarlac Governor Christian Tell A. Yap, and Capas Mayor Roseller B. Rodriguez.
Representatives from various organizations also participated in the ceremony, including the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Association of Vietnam Veterans of the Philippines, Association of General and Flag Officers, the Filipino War Veterans Foundation Inc., the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, VFP Sons and Daughters Association, World War II veterans, the Department of Education, National Youth Commission, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
The ceremony was followed by a short program that opened with an invocation by Rev. Fr. Arnulfo B. Corpuz, parish priest of St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish in Capas. The “Tolling of the Bell” was led by World War II veteran Ceferino Q. Quilana and O’Donnell High School learner Khervy D. Manguera.
Mayor Rodriguez and Governor Yap delivered their respective messages, while Andre Sean M. Llanes, a student from General Mariano Alvarez Technical High School in Cavite, offered a tribute to the war heroes.
Undersecretary Lorenzo introduced Legarda, who delivered the keynote address emphasizing the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians during the war.
Paggunita sa Capas commemorates the victims and survivors of the Bataan Death March, whose ordeal ended at Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. The site was converted by Japanese forces into a prisoner-of-war camp, where thousands of Filipino and American soldiers were detained under harsh conditions following the fall of Bataan.
