Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier issued Executive Order 26, 2025 setting forth guidelines in the preparation for Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9, Philippine Veterans week on April 5 to 11, and the 80th Baguio Liberation Day on April 27.
Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor, formerly known as Bataan Day which commemorates the fall of Bataan during World War II shall be remembered with simple and solemn ceremonies.
The Philippine and American anthems are sung as the respective flags are raised after which a wreath-laying is done by city officials, and veterans’ family members. Prayers for surviving veterans and candle-lighting follow the reminiscences read by a descendant of a March of Bataan veteran-survivor.
On April 5 to 11, the Philippine Veteran Week as established through Proclamation 466 (1989) shall be commemorated. The week is granted “to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and deeds of our war veterans as a means of enhancing the youths’ patriotism and love for the country.”
Activities for the commemoration are yet to be slated.
On April 27, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Baguio from enemy forces was marked with a historic victory “that symbolized the resilience, courage and unity of the allied forces for the Filipino people.”
Honored on this day are veterans, particularly the United States and Philippine forces from the 33rd and 37th Division of the Sixth US Army of the Igorot guerillas of the 66th Infantry, United States of America Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL), who liberated Baguio from the Japanese invaders in 1945.
City officials shall lead in the flag ceremony, wreath-laying, gun salute and the flags being lowered at half-mast.
Traditional activities, the “Owik” and “Tayao” follow the Guest of Honor and Speaker’s inspirational message.
In the afternoon, the locally-produced film, “Nowhere Yet Everywhere” shall be shown with other activities to be conducted by the Sons and Daughters of Veterans, Inc. (SDAI) at the Veterans building, Camp Henry T. Allen. -jgfianza
