Marcos: Little heroic deeds in crises are acts of valor
WAR AND REMEMBRANCE Two of the veterans attending Wednesday’s rites for the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) find a moment for a chat as the day begins at Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan. President Marcos led the annual commemoration honoring Filipinos who fought during World War II. —Niño Jesus Orbeta
MANILA, Philippines — As the country commemorated the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on Wednesday, President Marcos urged Filipinos to perform deeds of compassion like acts of valor and spark ripples of change in their communities.
“We learned that valor, bravery, courage, and sacrifice [are] not only demonstrated by those who fought in war. They continue to be demonstrated by all the little heroic deeds that our people continue to do when faced with a crisis,” he said in his speech at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Altar of Valor) on Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.
Araw ng Kagitingan, earlier known as the Fall of Bataan, marks the three-month defense of the Bataan peninsula from January to April 1942.
It was the precursor to the infamous Death March of more than 75,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war.
“In honoring our forebears, may we recognize that valor is not solely about strength and resolve in the face of adversity but also about small acts of compassion, generosity, and kindness that create meaningful ripples of positive change in our communities,” he said.
Addressing foreign and local dignitaries, the President recalled the hard-learned lessons of World War II, which saw Filipinos and Americans perform exemplary acts of courage and sacrifice.
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Another lesson of World War II, he said, was that peace—and not more violence and conflict—is the way to end war.
“The solution to war is not more war, and the solution to war is only peace. And honorable peace that is arrived at by the different parties involved and having a hand and a voice in achieving that peace,” the President said.
Benefits fast-tracked
Among those present during the ceremony were US Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Ewing, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, and Archbishop Charles Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines and the dean of the diplomatic corps.
Mr. Marcos also met with the families of soldiers and policemen who were killed or injured in the line of duty, as he ordered government agencies to hasten and simplify the process for releasing benefits due them.
The Presidential Communications Office said all families of fallen soldiers and policemen will receive special financial assistance worth P500,000 from the Office of the President in two tranches, while representatives of the 62 families will receive an additional P100,000.
