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2012, May 6 (7).  Day of Valor - 70th Anniversary

Litho Offset.  Amstar Company, Inc.  Perf 14

Singles, Sheets of 40 (10 x 4)

 

   7p   Death March  (100,200)

 10p   Battery Hearn, Corregidor Island  (100,200)

 30p   Shrine of Valor, Mt. Samat, Bataan  (100,200)

 

 

Designer: Philippine Veterans Affair Office (PVAO)

Layout Artists:  Olivia Cruz Alejanddrino & Victorino Serevo

 

 

First Day Covers:  Manila

 

70 YEARS OF VALOR

The Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) honors the gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers when they demonstrated their unending patriotism and fought during the World War II. It is also for those men and women who sacrifice their lives for democracy, freedom and peace during this era. Filipinos commemorate on April 9 of each year at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan.

Bataan Peninsula was an ideal defensive stand against the invading forces during the Second World War. Preserving it was crucial in preventing the enemies to seize Manila Bay, the finest natural harbor in the Far East. From all corners of the Philippines came youthful and brave soldiers and guerillas to make their courageous stand against an implacable enemy that had marched through Asia. Bataan was witness to how these bold soldiers fought relentlessly, choosing to die rather than surrender to the enemies who were superior in number, stronger, and better equipped.

At dawn of April 9, 1942, over 76,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to surrender and became prisoners of war (POWs). They endured the 90-mile (about 145-km) Death March from Mariveles and Bagac in Bataan to San Fernando train station in Pampanga. Thousands of prisoners died along the way due to dehydration, starvation, untreated wounds and diseases. In San Fernando, the Death March became a “death ride” by cargo train when the prisoners were packed so densely into boxcars that many of them perished from suffocation. Those who arrived alive in Capas, Tarlac had still to walk the last and most agonizing miles of the Death March, six kilometers more to Camp O’Donnell, which became known historically as one of the most hellish concentration camps of World War II. But the horrible Death March was neither sufficient to conquer human dignity nor man consecrated service to humankind.

Bataan’s downfall hastened the surrender of Corregidor on May 6, 1942. But the defense mounted by the Filipino and American soldiers that lasted for more than four months bought America valuable time to repair the heavily damaged Pearl harbor thereby restoring a cordon of defense around the Pacific. This also forced the Japanese to slow down, giving the allied Forces adequate preparation for all-out offensive years thereafter.

In military parlance, the surrender in Bataan and Corregidor were tactical defeats but strategic victories. Now 70 years hence, Bataan, Corregidor and Death March, serve as reminders of our veterans’ unparalleled gallantry and valor, showing the world that Filipinos could fight against all odds, and die if need be – in defense of their motherland. 

With the theme, “BETERANO: Tagasulong ng Tunay at Walang Humpay na Pagbabago” (Veterans: Catalysts of Genuine and Lasting Change), the 70^th Anniversary of these three major historic events is being commemorated this year to honor the men and women who paid the price of the freedom, peace and democracy we now enjoy. 

www.philippinesjapanese.com

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TOPICAL CATEGORIES 

• World War II

• Bataan/Corregidor

Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

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