“Eighty four years cannot make us forget a storied history of the warriors who fought for our freedom and lives. They withstood death, wounds and destruction to protect and defend their homeland and our way of life.”

With these words, FilVetREP Chairman Maj. Antonio Taguba (Ret) opened the commemoration of the 84th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942, and Corregidor on May 6, 1942 during World War II in the Philippines. It is observed in the Philippines and in the US as “Araw ng Kagitingan” or “Day of Valor.”