At the Day of Valor rites are US Charge d’Affaires Heather Variava, Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, and Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra. Photo courtesy of PIA-3
BALANGA CITY — The Day of Valor was again commemorated in the hallowed ground of Mount Samat in Pilar, Bataan after the suspension of physical celebrations since 2019 due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.
On Saturday, Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra represented President Duterte as guest of honor and speaker in the 80th Araw ng Kagitingan rites held at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in the historic mountain.
The celebration has for its theme “Kagitingan ng mga Beterano, Inspirasyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino.”
Guevarra, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko and U.S. Charge d’Affaires Heather Variava started the day’s activity with the laying of flowers at the Shrine of Valor.
Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia delivered the welcome remarks.
The Philippine Postal Corp. with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. presented a commemorative stamp.
Balanga City welcomed the celebration by decorating its Plaza Mayor with arch or curved symmetrical structure decked with sunflowers and the Philippine flag.
On Friday, the Philippine Veterans Bank in coordination with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the provincial government held an exhibit titled “Bataan Cannot Fall: Hope and Humanity during WWII” at the ground floor of The Bunker, seat of the provincial government. At the Atrium of The Banker is a tank used during World War II.
“Tampok sa nasabing exhibit ang mga kagamitan at kasuotan na nagpapaalala sa sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Kung inyong mapapansin, ang disenyo ng The Bunker ay hango sa kagitingan at kabayanihan ng ating mga ninuno na nakipaglaban sa mga mananakop at nagbuwis ng buhay para sa kalayaang tinatamasa natin ngayon,” the governor said.
“Hangad natin na sa pamamagitan ng The Bunker ay hindi lamang tuwing Araw ng Kagitingan natin kikilalanin at gugunitain ang ating mga bayani kung hindi sa pang-araw-araw nating pamumuhay upang magsisilbing inspirasyon sa ating lahat,” Garcia added.
