PILAR, Bataan-President Benigno Aquino III will lead the 72nd Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Dambana ng Kagitingan, Pilar, Bataan – his fourth as head of state.
Upon arrival, the Chief Executive will be accorded with full military honors by officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and shall then offer a wreath to the shrine.
This will be followed by messages from Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe and United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg and the President’s keynote address.
History recounts that on April 9, 1942, approximately 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers stationed in Corregidor and Bataan formally surrendered to the Japanese army under Lt. General Masaharu Homma.
These prisoners of war were transferred to Camp O’ Donnell, Capas, Tarlac in what would infamously be known as the “Bataan Death March."
The Dambana ng Kagitingan was built on top of Mount Samat in 1966 in memory of those soldiers.
The shrine’s most distinct feature is a 92-meter Memorial Cross which is made up of marble, steel, and concrete.
At the base of the cross is a sculptural bas relief that depicts important historical events and battles in the Philippines.
This year’s commemoration is guided by the theme “Balik-tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago.”
