Washington, D.C. April 9, 2025
At a somber ceremony on a chilly morning at the National World War II Memorial, Filipino American community leaders, Filipino World War II veterans’ families, active military officers and retirees, leaders and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5471,and Philippine Embassy officials observed “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Fall of Bataan and Corregidor during World War II in the Philippines.
April 9 is observed every year in the Philippines and in the U.S. to honor the service and sacrifice of Filipino soldiers.
The brief ceremony featured an honor guard, the singing of the Philippine and US national anthems and the playing of taps.
In his remarks, Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez noted “the unwavering heroism of individuals such as Valeria Panlilio, who used her skills as a broadcaster to relay information to Allied forces, and Magdalena Leones, who risked her life as an intelligence agent. We honor our champions like Captain Jose Calugas, a Medal of Honor recipient recognized for his extraordinary valor, and countless others who risked their lives to go above and beyond for their beloved country.”
Brigadier General Roy Anthony Derilo of the Philippine Army delivered the message of the Secretary of National Defense, Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. “In these uncertain times, may we draw strength from the legacy of our veterans and stand united in purpose and resolve,” the message read.
The presence of Filipino World War II Veteran, 97-year-old Remigio Cabacar of Oxon Hill, Maryland, drew the applause of visitors to the Memorial who watched the ceremony. They later shook his hand, thanked him for his service and posed for pictures.
In his opening remarks, FilVetREP Chairman Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), said that “Bataan and Corregidor were not just battles lost. They are hallowed grounds where thousands of Filipinos and Americans, men and women who fought and died to defend their homeland in the Philippines, and for a country far away – the United States of America.
“The huge losses of lives in battle and in captivity, from hunger and disease, many still are missing inaction, and those wounded for life, were interminable.
“Those who survived Bataan and Corregidor fought courageously and fiercely as guerrilla forces for several years to fight a vicious enemy and later declare victory over Japan on September 2, 1945.
“Eighty-three years can make us forget a storied history of the warriors who fought for our freedom and lives. These brave warriors withstood death and wounds, but not the ages of life.”
The ceremony featured an Honor Guard and the singing of the Philippine and US national anthems.
Filipino World War II Veteran, 97-year-old Remigio Cabacar is one of two living veterans in the Washington DC area. Behind him are Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, Deputy Chief of Mission Jaime Ramon Escalon, Philippine Embassy diplomatic and military officers, FilVetREP Chairman Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba and VFW Post 5471 Commander Ike Puzon.
Brig. Gen. Roy Anthony Derilo of the Philippine Army delivers a message from Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.
FilVetREP Chair Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret) opens the Day of Valor ceremony.
Ambassador Romualdez chats with Filipino World War II Veteran Remigio Cabacar after the ceremony.
PHOTOS BY BING BRANIGIN
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The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, community-based, all-volunteer national initiative whose mission is to obtain national recognition of Filipino and American WW11 soldiers across the United States and the Philippines for their wartime service to the U.S. and the Philippines from July 26, 1941 to December 31, 1946. For more information about Filipino WWII veterans and how to get involved, visit our website at www.filvetrep.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.