Araw ng Kagitingan is celebrated April 9th of every year in the Philippines. It commemorates the Fall of Bataan to Japanese soldiers. Why celebrate this event which had also been popular as Bataan Day? It allowed allies to prepare for later battles that eventually led to victory.
Another popular event linked to this occasion is the infamous Bataan Death March where the Japanese made the prisoners walk 150km to the prison camp in San Fernando and over 20,000 died of either starvation, exhaustion, or from the hands of the Japanese. Our veterans are particularly remembered and given honors. The shrine at Mt. Samat is there to honor the heroism of Filipinos and American troops in World War II.
What is the essence of this celebratioon for 2023? We don’t forget important events that led to where we are now as a nation. We give highest respects to those who died so we may have freedom and liberty. We don’t forget heroes, popular or unnamed.
We continue to fight for the best of our country. Whatever form of struggle we may be facing right now, the battles won and even lost in the past should always ignite that spirit of patriotism that will keep this country free from all forms of abuse and injustice. But do we really realize that if it were not for those who fought for our future, we will not be where we are now, enjoying the independence and all the rights and privileges that some kababayans misuse and abuse at the present time?
Great courage in the face of danger: that is the ultimate show of love for country, to go into battle para sa bayan. Valor is unbound by time. The question is, are we ready to give our all, or we are still preoccupied by our own selfish ambitions and desires? We should not be needing anyone to tell us how to love our country. As patriotic citizens, love for country should spring from within and manifested in our lifestyle. Any day and every day. When will we begin to do our parts?