The Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) Description
The Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) on April 9th commemorates the fall of Bataan and Corregidor to Japanese forces in 1942 during World War II and honors the Filipino and American soldiers who endured the Bataan Death March — a brutal 65-mile forced march in which thousands perished. The main ceremony takes place at the Mount Samat National Shrine (Dambana ng Kagitingan) in Bataan, featuring a wreath-laying by the President, a gun salute, and addresses by surviving veterans and their descendants. The towering Memorial Cross on Mount Samat is the focal point. Government offices, banks, and schools close. The day is also observed as a special non-working day. It serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation and is often accompanied by Veterans' Week activities, with the Philippine Veterans Bank and veterans' organizations holding commemorative events. The historical sites in Bataan and Corregidor Island draw increased visitors around this date. The holiday was formerly observed on a Monday but was moved back to its historical date of April 9th.
