By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“The heroes of Bataan gave their all so that we and the generations that followed may inherit a nation that is free, sovereign, and worthy of their sacrifice.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. opened his speech with this sentence that genuinely encapsulates the essence of the 84th anniversary of the Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) on Thursday.
In a solemn ceremony at the Mount Samat National Shrine (Dambana ng Kagitingan), the President offered a wreath of flowers at the memorial, and unveiled a marker honoring the Czech fighters who fought alongside Filipino and American troops during the Battle of Bataan.
He went on to retell the story of the soldiers who held their ground during the 93-day campaign to push back against the invading Japanese Imperial Army—one of bravery, strength, and unwavering love for one’s country.
President Marcos Jr. expounded, “Across our archipelago, resistance took many forms. Guerrillas fought in the mountains, civilians risked their lives to shelter and sustain those who were in hiding, even those without arms found ways to serve the calls of freedom.
This is the essence of our strength as a people. Not merely the ability to fight, but the will to endure. Not only to survive hardship, but to rise above it with dignity intact.”
Veterans’ welfare in focus
He moreover cited the various initiatives that the government has undertaken to look after the WWII veterans and their families, in recognition of their indispensable contribution to Philippine history and society.
This includes close collaboration with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) to construct veterans’ hospitals in Visayas and Mindanao, proper separation benefits for those who suffered total permanent disability, and the establishment of the Veterans Access to Lifetime Optimized Healthcare (VALOR) Clinic in June 2025.
President Marcos Jr. shared that as of 2025, over 2,630 veterans and their dependents benefited from services provided under the Veterans Hospitalization and Medical Care Program.
As of press time, benefits were likewise distributed to approximately 146,896 pensioners. 973 scholars have also received assistance for their education, and by virtue of Republic Act No. 11958, disability pension rates have been increased for those who embodied the cost of wholeheartedly serving the nation at the frontlines of war.
“Let me once again recognize our veterans who are with us today, for you are living witnesses to history. You are the embodiments of strength and enduring symbols of what it means to serve something greater than yourself.”
Call to action
President Marcos Jr. wrapped up his remarks by establishing a connection with the horrors of the Bataan Death March and the unfolding geopolitical developments in the Middle East, which continue to affect fuel prices in the country.
In saying so, he called on the citizenry to express oneness with the government as it allocates its earnest efforts to help the common folk navigate these challenging circumstances.
The Chief Executive addressed Filipinos, “Dapat nating kilalanin na ang bawat isa ay may parehong pangangailangan, parehong pangarap, at may parehong pinagdadaanan.
Sa simpleng pag-unawa at pagdamay, nakakatulong tayong mapagaan ang bigat na dinadala ng ating mga kababayan. Ipinapaalala nila sa atin [na] ang pag-unlad ng bansa ay nakasalalay sa kung paano tayo nagsusumikap na humarap sa mga pagsubok at bumangon mula rito.”
Likewise, he stressed that governance alone cannot help in resolving such issues right away, noting the importance of citizen participation in translating initiatives from mere boardroom concepts into actions that can greatly contribute towards nation-building.
April 9 of every year is celebrated as the Day of Valor, as a homage to the Philippine-American contingent that stood up in arms against the Japanese and fought till the bitter end in service of the Philippines.
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