Philippine Veterans Week

April 5, 2010, 5:40pm

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 466 issued on September 14, 1989, April 5 to 11 is observed as Philippine Veterans Week. The celebration encourages the holding of activities that pay tribute to all Filipino veterans who survived or perished during the Philippine Revolution, World Wars 1 and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts where Philippine military contingents helped preserve the cause of the world peace.

A Sunrise Ceremony will be held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, with floral rites at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A parade and review in honor of veterans will be held at the Philippine Army’s Hunters ROTC Guerilla Field. And a book launching and ribbon-cutting event for an exhibit “Victory at Besang Pass” will be held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Theater Lobby/Museum.

Bessang Pass was the last stronghold of the Japanese imperial forces under General Tomoyuki Yamashita, known as the “Tiger of Malaya” and conqueror of Singapore. It was part of the triangular defense of General Yamashita in the north, the other two being Balete Pass and the Villaverde Trail that guarded the Ifugao-Benguet-Viscaya borders. Its fall into the hands of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFP-NL) on June 14, 1945, paved the way for the entrapment of Yamashita’s forces in the Cordilleras and the General’s surrender on September 2, 1945.

A Tribute to All Filipino Heroes will be held on Corregidor Island on April 7 to pay tribute to our country ‘s heroes from Lapu-Lapu to the Katipuneros of the Philippine Revolution, the World War II soldiers and guerrillas, and the participants in the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

The observance will culminate with Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9 at the Mt. Samat Shrine in Bataan, Paggunita sa Capas to honor those who suffered during the Death March of 1942 at the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac on April 10, and a closing Sunset Ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani where widows, children, and other relatives will pay their respects to departed veterans by lighting candles in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Pre-launching activities were held beginning March 5, 2010, consisting of a “Symposium on the Images of Valor and Victory of World War II” organized in collaboration with the Philippine Historical Association, a bikathon that retraced the Bataan Death March route, a medical mission for veterans and their surviving families, a drawing contest dubbed “Pagguhit ng Kabayanihan at Kagitingan,” and a fun walk.

As we celebrate Philippine Veterans Week this year, let us nurture the priceless legacy of freedom and democracy that Philippine Veterans have bequeathed to us.
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Let us always remember the greatness of our Filipino Veterans, their sacrifices for our country.