PBBM to lead 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan

MT. SAMAT, Bataan – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will lead the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on its 83rd anniversary on 9 April 2025 at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), Mt. Samat National Shrine, Pilar, Bataan.

The President, along with other top government officials, foreign dignitaries, war veterans, and guests, will be welcomed by Bataan Governor Joet S. Garcia, Pilar Mayor Charlie Pizarro, and other provincial officials.

Col. Marites A. Salvadora, provincial police director, said that strict security measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of guests and visitors.

Marcos will be joined by His Excellency Endo Kazuya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines, and Mr. Robert Y. Ewing, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.

In past Araw ng Kagitingan celebrations, the ambassadors of the U.S. and Japan have consistently participated in the annual event.

Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the valor and courage of World War II veterans in defense of the homeland. The 9th of April marks the anniversary of the Fall of Bataan during the 1941–1942 Philippine Defense Campaign, where Filipino and American forces mounted a valiant resistance against Imperial Japanese troops.

This year’s theme, “Kabayanihan ng Beterano: Sandigan ng Kaunlaran ng Bagong Pilipinas” (Heroism of Veterans: Pillar of Progress in the New Philippines), honors the enduring contributions of war veterans to securing a just and prosperous future for the Filipino people.

The annual commemoration also represents a moment of mutual respect and understanding among the Philippines, the United States, and Japan—decades after the conflict. It stands as a testament to memory, reconciliation, and the hope for a peaceful future among allies and partners.

Also attending the event are Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., Bataan Governor Garcia III, Congressman Abet Garcia, Balanga Bishop Rufino C. Sescon Jr., and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr.

The NHCP is the national agency tasked with promoting Philippine history through museums, research, and publications, and preserving the country's historical heritage through conservation and site marking.

Meanwhile, a Kagitingan Trade Fair has opened at the Bataan Capitol grounds, giving the public and visitors the chance to purchase local products and delicacies.