President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to carry the spirit of heroism into their daily lives as the nation commemorated Araw ng Kagitingan on Thursday, April 9.
In his message, Marcos emphasized that the observance should go beyond remembrance and serve as a call to action.
“Kaya inaanyayahan ko ang bawat isa na isabuhay ang kagitingan sa bawat tamang desisyon, sa bawat pagtulong sa kapwa, at sa bawat paninindigan sa tama,” he said.
The President honored Filipino soldiers who fought during World War II, particularly those who defended Bataan and Corregidor, noting that their sacrifices remain defining moments in the country’s fight for freedom.
“Ngayong araw, inaalala natin ang tapang at sakripisyo ng mga Pilipinong tumindig para sa ating kalayaan,” Marcos added.
Araw ng Kagitingan marks the fall of Bataan in 1942, when more than 76,000 Filipino and American troops surrendered to Japanese forces after months of resistance amid dwindling supplies.
The surrender led to the infamous Bataan Death March, a brutal 140-kilometer journey to Camp O’Donnell where thousands perished due to hunger, exhaustion, and abuse.
Marcos underscored that the bravery shown in Bataan and Corregidor continues to resonate in modern times.
“Ang kanilang kabayanihan ay hindi lamang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan. Ito ay buhay na paalala na ang diwa ng kagitingan ay nananatili sa bawat Pilipinong patuloy na nagsusumikap at bumabangon para sa kanilang pamilya at sa bayan,” he said.
He added that while challenges evolve, the values that define victory remain constant — compassion, unity, and love of country.
“Sapagkat ang tunay na lakas ng isang nasyon ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa mga tagumpay na ating ipinagdiriwang, kundi sa kung paano tayo tumatayo at lumalaban bilang iisang bansa,” Marcos declared.
The annual observance serves as both a solemn remembrance of wartime sacrifice and a reminder that valor extends beyond the battlefield, lived through everyday acts of integrity, service, and resilience.