Metro
CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO
Volume 8 | No. 34 | Cagayan de Oro City | April 5-11, 2021
2021 Philippine Veterans Week
T
HE Philippines commemorates the 79th Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan and the Bataan Death March on April 9, 2021, now known as the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). This day, also known as Bataan Day, commemorates the fall of Bataan, a pivotal event in Philippine history. At dawn on 9 April 1942, against the orders of Generals and the commander of the Luzon Force, Major General, surrendered over 76,000 starving and diseaseridden soldiers (64,000 Filipinos, Chinese and 12,000 Americans) to troops. Unprepared for the number of prisoners, the Japanese decided to walk the prisoners 150 kilometers to a prison camp in San Fernando. Over 20,000 prisoners died on this march from dehydration, heat prostration, untreated wounds, and executions at the hands of the Japanese. The trek became infamous as the ‘Bataan Death
1945. In the Philippines, Araw ng Kagitingan is a nationwide holiday, commemorated through parades, featuring veterans of the Second World War. The most well-known March’. celebration takes place Only some 54,000 at Mt. Samat Shrine, of the 76,000 prisoners reached their destination; where the president gives a speech recognizing the the exact death toll is bravery of those who difficult to assess because fought. thousands of captives In the United States, were able to escape. memorials are held Approximately 5,000across the country 10,000 Filipino and 600to commemorate the 650 American prisonerssoldiers, but the day is of-war died before celebrated in September they could reach Camp rather than April. There O’Donnell. is a special memorial While the holiday marks an event which was in Maywood, Illinois, a victory for the opposing as many young soldiers from this village served at forces, the heroic defense of Bataan by those soldiers Bataan. was seen as a key event in With Araw ng Kagitingan, we honor all the war, as it allowed the Filipino heroes of the past Allies time to prepare for and the present. later battles which stalled In a special way, we the Japanese conquest of the Pacific, and eventually honor our brave front liners who courageously led to an Allied victory. fight for us in our battle The Bataan peninsula was eventually retaken by against COVID-19. We also honor the countless American and Filipino Filipinos who have forces on February 8th
US prisoners of war carry their wounded and sick as they begin the Bataan Death March in April 1942.(AP Photo U.S. Army)
stepped up to help our brothers and sisters during these difficult times so that together, we heal as one nation. Philippine Veterans Week By virtue of Proclamation No. 466 signed by former President Corazon Aquino in September 1989, Philippine Veterans Week is commemorated every April 5 to 11. The event is aimed at promoting, preserving and memorializing the principles, ideals and deeds of Filipino war veterans. This weeklong observance honors not only the Filipino war veterans who fought during World War II but also those who rendered honorable military
service. This year’s observance, anchored on the theme, Kagitingan ay Gawing Gabay, Pandemya ay Mapagtatagumpayan, is commemorated through a series of commemorative events virtually from April 5 to April 11, 2021. Metro Cagayan de Oro Times joins the nation in commemorating these two events in Northern Mindanao with this special 79th Araw ng Kagitingan & Philippine Veterans Week 2021 issue featuring stories celebrating the heroism of our patriots, as well as others which celebrate the valor and sacrifice of those who rose from the ashes of defeat to continue the fight against their imperial KAGITINGAN/PAGE 15
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424