BALANGA CITY, Bataan – A group of bikers on Sunday retraced the route of the dreaded Death March in memory of thousands of thirsty, hungry and sickly Filipino and American soldiers who fought in Bataan during World War II.
Bataan fell to the Japanese imperial army on April 9, 1942 and the next day, the Death March began.
Retired Army Gen. Nicolas Ojeda, tour organizer of the Alay Sikad sa Kagitingan, said that instead of marching, they will relive the horrifying experience of soldiers by biking from the “O” kilometer marker in Mariveles, Bataan to the 106-Km marker in Capas, Tarlac.
“Dati-rati ay unahan sa pagdating sa Tarlac ang mga bikers pero ngayon ay mabagal, sama-sama at hindi magkakahiwalay ang pagbibisekleta upang ipakita ang diwa ng Death March na unity, teamwork at survival,” Ojeda said.
Some 220 bikers mostly coming from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Presidential Security Group and other government and private agencies composed the core group that started at 5:30 in the morning in Mariveles.
More than 50 bikers from Bataan joined them when they reached Balanga City or Death March KM-44.
At the Plaza Mayor de Balanga, a short program was held where the bikers were entertained with dance numbers by candidates of the Mutya ng Balanga.
The city government under Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III served light breakfast and bottled water for the participants of the bike-a-thon.
Ojeda said the number of bikers reached 500 as they pass by Pampanga until they reach Capas past 4:00 in the afternoon of the same day.
Bataan fell to the Japanese imperial army on April 9, 1942 and the next day, the Death March began.
Retired Army Gen. Nicolas Ojeda, tour organizer of the Alay Sikad sa Kagitingan, said that instead of marching, they will relive the horrifying experience of soldiers by biking from the “O” kilometer marker in Mariveles, Bataan to the 106-Km marker in Capas, Tarlac.
“Dati-rati ay unahan sa pagdating sa Tarlac ang mga bikers pero ngayon ay mabagal, sama-sama at hindi magkakahiwalay ang pagbibisekleta upang ipakita ang diwa ng Death March na unity, teamwork at survival,” Ojeda said.
Some 220 bikers mostly coming from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Presidential Security Group and other government and private agencies composed the core group that started at 5:30 in the morning in Mariveles.
More than 50 bikers from Bataan joined them when they reached Balanga City or Death March KM-44.
At the Plaza Mayor de Balanga, a short program was held where the bikers were entertained with dance numbers by candidates of the Mutya ng Balanga.
The city government under Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III served light breakfast and bottled water for the participants of the bike-a-thon.
Ojeda said the number of bikers reached 500 as they pass by Pampanga until they reach Capas past 4:00 in the afternoon of the same day.
