BATAAN – Valor is often associated with bravery and courage, but people forget that it is never possible without sacrifice. This year, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will commemorate the 81st Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor. With the theme Kagitingan ng mga Beterano, Pundasyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, the ceremony will be held on Monday, 10 April 2023 at Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.
The program will start at 8am with the Armed Forces of the Philippines facilitating the arrival honors for guests and visitors. To honor and remember our fallen heroes, the wreath-laying ceremony will be led by the President of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with His Excellency Koshikawa Kazuhiko of the Embassy of Japan and Charge d’Affaires Ms. Heather Variava of the Embassy of the United States of America.
Bishop of Balanga, Most Rev. Ruperto C. Santos, will deliver the invocation to be followed by the tolling of the bells by Veterans Federation of the Philippines District President Ceasar Aguirre and Maria Sophia Manzano of Jose Payumo Jr. Memorial High School. This tradition, done during the yearly commemoration, is a tribute to the sacrifice willingly offered by defenders of our nation in securing the country’s freedom.
After which, the welcome remarks will be given by Bataan Governor Jose Enrique S. Garcia. An overview will also be imparted by National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo to be followed by messages from Ambassador Kazuhiko, Ms. Variava and President Marcos Jr., respectively.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote and preserve Philippine history and heritage through research and publication, heraldry, conservation, marking of historic sites and structures, administration of national shrines and museums, and conduct of commemorative programs.
For more information, contact the Historic Sites and Education Division at NHCP tel. nos. 5335-1217 loc 126.