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Heroism: In the Genes of Filipinos

 

The Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March, Jo Brick, April 10, 2018, Retrieved from 
https://thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2018/4/10/the-battle-of-bataan-and-the-bataan-death-march

    The celebration of the Historical Battle of Bataan or mostly known as “Araw ng Kagitingan” is done to commemorate the sacrifices and bravery of our fallen and veteran soldiers that fought alongside the United States against Japan in World War II. The Philippines had a critical role in the said war because they became a part of the strategy of the United States, in the leadership of General MacArthur, to drive the Japanese away from their conquered islands which became successful.

    The Japanese captured our soldiers and forced them to move them to Camp O’Donnell and make it into a prison. The captured soldiers were starved to death and were treated as slaves. They did not give them food to eat and water to drink. They were placed into boxcars in San Fernando as they march their way to the camp and men who were not fit inside were forced to walk. When the Philippines surrendered to Japan, the same cruel treatment that the Japanese did to the captured soldiers was also the same as to those who surrendered. Due to starvation and dehydration, they were falling behind and getting weaker. However, instead of providing just a small portion of water were not done, instead, they were beaten and killed.

    

    When we look at the constitution of our country on this day, the cruel treatment of the invaders to the Philippine soldiers and citizens is a huge violation of our Human Rights Act. However, back then, the manpower of the Philippines is not that strong considering that our weapons were machetes compared to their rifles. Nonetheless, even though we were behind in power, our soldiers continued to fight for our country's freedom. We can see that they value our country, they can fight with only machetes in hand against rifles, not for their own sake, but for the sake of the entire country.

    The Fall of Bataan is a commemoration of the hardships of our brave soldiers and the joint forces of the United States and the Philippines in protecting the islands, properties, and country that they treasure and value. From the word itself “Kagitingan” meaning bravery, valor, and heroism. Our soldiers showed that they are patriotic and they showed heroism with their burning will and hope that the Philippines can do more than just being captured by greedy invaders.


References: 

The Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March, Jo Brick, 10 April 2018, Retrieved from https://thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2018/4/10/the-battle-of-bataan-and-the-bataan-death-march

The Fall Of Bataan, Official Gazette, Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/araw-ng-kagitingan-2013/the-fall-of-bataan/

New thematic factsheet on Freedom of Expression, Strasbourg, Council of Europe, 21 April 2021, Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/human-rights-rule-of-law/-/new-thematic-factsheet-on-freedom-of-expression


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