PNoy to lead 69th Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Bataan tomorrow

PILAR, Bataan April 8 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead tomorrow the 69th Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Dambana ng Kagitingan, Pilar, Bataan – his first as head of state.

Upon arrival, the President will offer a wreath to the shrine and afterwards pause for the tolling of bell by Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) vice president for Central Luzon Felix Miguel and Pablo Roman Memorial High School student Ives King Eogin Gravino.

Aquino will then lead the awarding of trophies to this year’s winners of the Araw ng Kagitingan oratorical, painting, and essay writing contests.

This will be followed by messages from Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura and United States Ambassador Harry Thomas and the President’s keynote address.

History recounts that on April 9, 1942, approximately 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers commanded by Major General Edward “Ned” King Jr. formally surrendered to the Japanese army under Lt. General Masaharu Homma.

These prisoners of war were transferred to Camp O’ Donnell in what would infamously be known as the “Bataan Death March."

The Dambana ng Kagitingan was built on top of Mount Samat in 1966 in memory of those soldiers.

The shrine’s most distinct feature is a 92-meter Memorial Cross which is made up of marble, steel, and concrete.

At the base of the cross is a sculptural bas relief that depicts important historical events and battles in the Philippines.(WLB/CLJD-PIA 3) - by Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu



source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=26621

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