Jonathan Frederic De Santos

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Marcos at Araw ng Kagitingan

Harlene Delgado

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<p>BATAAN<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a speech on Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on Thursday reminded Filipinos of their collective responsibility to address present challenges. </p><p>Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the fall of Bataan in 1942 and honors Filipino and American troops killed during the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines during World War II.</p><p>“As we honor the past, we are reminded that remembrance is a call to responsibility. The sacrifices of those who came before us demand vigilance, unity, and the continuing willpower to act in the present,” Marcos Jr. said at Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, where he led a wreath-laying ceremony with US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Ewing and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya.</p><p>“Today’s challenges may not mirror those of yesterday, but they test us in much the same way,” he added, referring to war in the Middle East that has shaken global oil prices and supply chains.</p><div><br/></div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:514px;height:602px;display:block;flex-grow:1" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2042042668113653796&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring&amp;sessionId=c1150d549ca6db157d300e0b5a1d1e0725eb07a9&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" data-tweet-id="2042042668113653796"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>Marcos Jr. said that while the Philippines is far from the Persian Gulf, it is not untouched by the war&#x27;s consequences.</p><p>“In moments like these, the government will do everything that is possible to cushion the impact and safeguard the welfare of our people,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/9/as-us-iran-agree-to-ceasefire-what-has-ph-done-since-the-middle-east-war-began-0912">As US, Iran agree to ceasefire, what has PH done since the Middle East war began?<br/></a></div><p>Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for a collective responsibility that “must be grounded in integrity, in courage, and in love for country” in order to succeed.</p><p>“Sa panahon ng matitinding pagsubok, tulad ng nangyayari ngayon, kailangan nating balikan ang isang mahalagang bahagi ng katangian ng bilang Pilipino—ang pakikipagkapwa. Dapat nating kilalanin na ang bawat isa ay may parehong pangangailangan, may parehong pangarap, at may parehong pinagdaraanan,” he said.</p><p>He said being in community with fellow Filipinos will increase trust in government, compassion for others, and love for country.</p><p>“Dahil kapag iniisip natin ang kapakanan ng iba, mas nagiging malinaw kung bakit kailangan tayong magtulungan at magkaisa,” Marcos Jr. added. </p><p>The chief executive further appealed for understanding and sympathy to help easing the burden of Filipinos.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/9/intramuros-commemorates-araw-ng-kagitingan-with-wreath-rites-wwii-reenactment-1103">Intramuros commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan with wreath rites, WWII reenactment</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>’EMBODIMENTS OF STRENGTH’</strong></div><p>The chief executive recognized the bravery and sacrifices of Filipino veterans as living witnesses to history.</p><p>“You are the embodiments of strength and enduring symbols of what it means to serve something greater than yourself,” he said. </p><p>“No tribute can ever equal the debt that we owe you. But let this gathering stand as a promise: That your service will never be forgotten, your stories will always be told, and your legacy will drive us forward,” Marcos Jr. added.</p><p>He called the story of Bataan “a cornerstone of our national identity and a guiding light for the generations that follow” and vowed continued support to Filipino veterans, including making healthcare more accessible and increased pension rates.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/20/afp-clarifies-pension-cut-vs-retired-generals-officers-over-seditious-statements-1522">AFP clarifies pension cut vs retired generals, officers over seditious statements; Palace says up to AFP to address issue</a></div><p>In a video message, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III of Isabela honored ordinary Filipinos and said he hopes they take inspiration from the country’s heroes to continue loving, defending, and serving the nation. </p><p>Dy said true bravery is not only seen in the middle of war, adding this is also evident in the daily efforts by Filipinos to serve, help one another, and build a better future for the country. </p><p>“Nawa’y magsilbing inspirasyon ang kanilang halimbawa upang patuloy nating mahalin, ipagtanggol, at paglingkuran ang ating inang bayan,” Dy said.</p><p>(May their example be an inspiration for us to continue loving, defending and serving our country)</p><p>The House speaker also paid tribute to the nation’s heroes, specifically mentioning the Filipino soldiers who fought for the country. </p><p>“Their courage reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy today were not given freely—they were earned through sacrifice.”</p>

<p>“Today’s challenges may not mirror those of yesterday, but they test us in much the same way,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, said, referring to war in the Middle East that has shaken global oil prices and supply chains.</p>

“Today’s challenges may not mirror those of yesterday, but they test us in much the same way,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, said, referring to war in the Middle East that has shaken global oil prices and supply chains.

Marcos Jr. on Araw ng Kagitingan: Remembrance is call to responsibility

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Marcos Jr. on Araw ng Kagitingan: Remembrance is call to responsibility

Harlene Delgado,

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 09, 2026 12:18 PM PHT

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Updated April 09, 2026 02:28 PM PHT

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Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Araw ng Kagitingan

Bataan

Philippine Veterans' Affairs Office

Veterans

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