Day of Valor in the Philippines
When is Day of Valor in Philippines?
Day of Valor in Philippines is on April 9, 2025. It falls on Wednesday.
How many days until Day of Valor in Philippines?
There are 157 Days left until Day of Valor in the Philippines.
Is Day of Valor a public holiday in Philippines?
Day of Valor, locally known as Araw ng Kagitingan in the Philippines, is a public holiday observed in the entire nation every 9th day of April. This holiday exists to commemorate the bravery and allegiance of those Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Japanese occupation during the second World War. Day of Valor is also called as ‘Bataan Day’ or ‘Bataan and Corregidor Day’ for the reason that the holiday also commemorates the fall of Bataan Peninsula right through the war. All schools are closed on this holiday, so as most government offices, banks, organizations, and establishments. On this day, malls remain open in fact, a number of public areas arrange events for the public that reminds them what the Day of Valor celebration is all about.
Origin of Day of Valor
The Day of Valor remembers one of the major events in the Philippines during World War II which is the Fall of Bataan. Bataan is a peninsula and province in the Philippines, particularly bordered by Manila Bay on the east and South China Sea on the west. During World War II, Filipino and American soldiers fought against Japanese invasion. General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of the USAFFE (United States Army Forces in the Far East) heads/commands both the US and Philippine Armies. At the time, the Imperial Japanese Army were successful at invading huge parts of Luzon after the Pearl Harbor (American naval base) was bombed. Due to the series of successive invasion by Japanese, General Douglas MacArthur withdraw his forces from Luzon and concentrated his units in Bataan on March 1942. In addition, Corregidor became his headquarters and his family’s base. Meanwhile, the United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt was fearful for the Corregidor to fall and the possibility of MacArthur to be taken as a prisoner hence Roosevelt ordered General Douglas MacArthur to go to Australia, which he did. It was in Australia, particularly in a train station, where General Douglas MacArthur delivered his well-known promise “I came through and I shall return” to the Philippines.
The Battle of Bataan leading to Bataan Death March
In the Philippines, Battle of Bataan against Japanese invasion continued for months. On year 1942 of April 9, the province near the Manila Bay called Bataan Peninsula was forced to surrender by Edward Postell King Jr, a Major General in the United States of America which went against the authorization of General Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright. There were more or less than 76,000 soldiers of USAFFE (United States of America Forces in the Far East) — almost 63,000 Filipinos, 1,000 Chinese Filipinos, 12,000 Americans who got caught by the hands of Japanese Armed Forces. Japanese troops took many equipment with the personal things from the USAFFE soldiers. They were forced to walk from Bataan Peninsula until Camp O-Donnell, Tarlac. In view of the fact that they were holding on from hunger, thirst, too much heat from the sun, illness, over fatigue, fresh bruises and wounds, thousands of them did not survive and approximately 54,000 soldiers only made it to the Concentration Camp in San Fernando. This historic event was known as Bataan Death March. Although the nation experienced being defeated, some Filipinos did not take it literally as a downfall. Filipinos commemorate this holiday, Day of Valor, for the reason that people took this historic event as an inspiration to fight for the country’s defense. The holiday used different names before having its official name. It was on year 1987 when the ‘Araw ng Kagitingan’ or ‘Day of Valor’ became the official name.
Common Practices/Traditions during Day of Valor in the Philippines
Veterans play a big role during the holiday as the holiday is associated with the soldiers’ heroism showed on the second World War. Typically, soldiers take part in parades in some cities in the Philippines during the Day of Valor. Meanwhile, some people would also enjoy the holiday by visiting various monuments. For some Filipino people who like to take the day in a relaxed manner, visiting malls for entertainment with families and friends is another common practice during the holiday. Some malls arrange informative displays that tells the history and events relevant to the Day of Valor.
Visiting Mount Samat Natinal Shrine
In the Philippines, the historical monuments and museums are also a popular destination during the Day of Valor. The main celebration of the country usually takes place at Mount Samat National Shrine since the memorial shrine was built to honor and commemorate the bravery and allegiance of soldiers from the Philippines and the United States who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army during the second World War. The historical shrine is locally known as Dambana ng Kagitingan which means Shrine of Valour. It is situated near the peak of Mount Samat, a mountain in the town of Pilar, Bataan, Philippines.
As guests arrive in Mount Samat National Shrine, they are welcomed with a large memorial cross and a classic Colonnade architecture. The white cross is stood up as a memorial for those soldiers who died while fighting in the Battle of Bataan. The location of the Shrine is at Mount Samat since it’s also the setting of the most ferocious battle during the Battle of Bataan on year 1942. Usually, the visitors enjoy historical pieces in the shrine complex in fact, the shrine houses wide collection of historical pieces such as paintings and armaments and weapons that were used during the battle. Generally, it’s a great place to visit especially for those interested to learn more about World War II or even for those who like to see Bataan in a panoramic view.
Visiting Capas National Shrine
Aside from the Mount Samat Shrine, another prominent museum that holds collectibles during World War II is the one in Tarlac, the Capas National Shrine. Capas Tarlac used to be the location of a US military reservation in the Philippines called Camp O’Donnel. When Japanese were successful in invading the Bataan Peninsula during World War II, Camp O’Donnel became the concentration camp for the Filipino and American prisoners of war. It was where the famous Bataan Death March ended. The same camp was also the spot where thousands of Americans and Filipino soldiers took their last breath out of starvation, illnesses, and violence under Imperial Japanese Armies. Today, the location is known as a Capas National Shrine where people visit to learn more about historical events. The shrine was built to honor and commemorate those American and Filipino soldiers who died at Camp O’Donnel. It was late President Corazon Aquino who declared the location as “Capas National Shrine”. As people visit this historical site, a wide collection of things from World War II is displayed. In addition, the shrine complex also features the engraved soldiers’ names who died during the Death March, a garden, among many others. Generally, Day of Valor is also a time to learn more about history in the Philippines.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 09 | Wednesday | Day of Valor |
| 2026 | April 09 | Thursday | Day of Valor |
| 2027 | April 09 | Friday | Day of Valor |
| 2028 | April 09 | Sunday | Day of Valor |
| 2029 | April 09 | Monday | Day of Valor |
| 2030 | April 09 | Tuesday | Day of Valor |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Bonifacio Day | November 30, 2024 |
| Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | December 08, 2024 |
| Christmas Eve | December 24, 2024 |
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