Day of Valor: Bataan’s Fight before The Fall

The “Araw ng Kagitingan” or the Day of Valor commemorates the heroism of Pilipino, Chinese, and American Soldiers. It is celebrated on the 9^th of April every year and is a national non-working holiday. It also known as Bataan Day and Bataan and Corregidor Day. Araw ng Kagitingan is the time when the Bataan, being a prime defense of the Philippines that time, surrendered to the hands of the Japanese invaders. The veterans of the war made a history and that is about their passionate, brave, and love for the Philippines.

During the World War II, Japanese invades all territory under America like the Philippines. For that, a plan was created and that was called the War Plan Orange-3. That plan made Bataan and Cavite the Philippine’s first line of defense against the Japanese invaders. In this tactic, it is needed to pass through between the two places before entering the Manila. In between, lies the Island of Corregidor. This means the goal is to not let the Japanese plant or export their war equipment inside Manila. The place is a strong defense and almost inevitable. That made a ray of hope in obtaining victory not until Bataan is still standing. The Battle of Bataan is one of the longest battles in World War III and was/almost lasted up to 3 months. With that long time, the soldiers staved, thirsted, and went tired. Bataan Commander Major General Edward Postell King Jr. was forced to surrender to Japanese troops because of what the soldiers had experienced. That was 9^th of April year 1942. 70,000+ soldiers was captivated and was forced to join the Death March which is more than a hundred kilometers. The march took over 20,000 lives. A victory was declared not by the Philippine Soldiers but it was Japan.

The “Araw ng Kagitingan” was not to celebrate because of the fall of Bataan. Yet, it is to commemorate the bravery that the Soldiers who defended the motherland from invaders. It is also means strong, willingness, passionate and burning hearts for the Philippines. The soldiers who fought during the war and their blood that was spilled throughout the land is a symbol of heroism. They did it for the hope of freedom that they saw. Those fallen soldiers will not be forgotten. Instead, what they did will forever be remembered. It is through the “Araw ng Kagitingan”.