Marcos urges Filipinos to speak up vs...

PAGE 1 extending help to those in need, and working towards a better future,” he added.

Noting that their forebears sacrificed and fought long and hard to defend the nation’s freedom, Marcos reminded Filipinos that their actions today determine the future of the Philippines, including the next generations.

“Together, let us strive towards developing a more humane, fair, and progressive society that allows our citizenry to relish their liberty and achieve their individual and collective aspirations,” the Chief Executive said.

Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the Fall of Bataan in 1942, when Filipino and American soldiers bravely resisted huge numbers of Japanese invaders. The event is celebrated every April 9, but since it fell on a Sunday this year, the holiday will be observed today, in line with the holiday economics adopted by the Marcos administration.

Ceremonies commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan was held on Monday, April 10 at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan. Marcos led the event, which were attended by war veterans, dignitaries from Japan and the U.S. and officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the local government of Bataan.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Kagitingan ng mga Beterano, Pundasyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino

(Veterans’ Heroism, Foundation of United Filipinos).”

Never forget Speaker Martin Romualdez reminded the nation never to forget the sacrifices made by the generation of Filipinos who made it through or were martyred during the Fall of Bataan in the name of regaining the country’s freedom.

“We suffered, we fought, and we prevailed,” said the Leyte congressman who heads the 312-member House of Representatives. “We honor and recognize our heroes, who willingly laid down their lives so that we can enjoy the blessings of freedom today.”

“As we look back into that dark day, we must never forget the sacrifices of Filipino resistance fighters who stood up against the might of foreign invaders in World War II, which gave the rest of our nation the inspiration and strength to fight on,” Romualdez, an administration stalwart and cousin of the president, said.

He said the event is a “historic reminder that Filipinos will always fight on, move forward and prevail with unity,” which reflect the same fortitude that carried the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Let this day remind us that we are strong as a nation, that faced even with seemingly insurmountable odds, we will always prevail as long as we are united, and as long as we continue to draw our strength from the virtues of our heroes,” Romualdez said. “We do not give up, we press forward, and