BAGUIO CITY – With solemn tributes and heartfelt messages, Baguio City commemorated Araw ng Kagitingan today, April 9, at Veterans Park along Harrison Road, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II.
Araw ng Kagitingan, or Day of Valor, marks the Fall of Bataan in 1942 when thousands of Filipino and American troops surrendered to Japanese forces after months of intense fighting. Despite the fall, the event remains a symbol of courage and resilience, as it reminds the nation of the unbreakable spirit of those who stood their ground for freedom.
In Baguio, city officials, war veterans, and community members gathered to pay tribute to these heroes. The ceremony opened with a flag-raising and the singing of the national anthems The Star-Spangled Banner and Lupang Hinirang—followed by a candle-laying ritual to honor the fallen.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who led the program alongside Congressman Mark Go, delivered the opening remarks.
“Today, we remember their pain, their perseverance, and undying love for our country,” the mayor said. “But beyond remembering, today is also a call for us to reflect—how do we honor the legacy of our heroes in today’s world? In our work as public servants, in our lives as citizens, in the way we uphold truth, justice, and freedom is our modern expression of kagitingan.”
USAFIP–NL Baguio–Benguet Inc. Chairperson Teresa Pomar offered a prayer for the war veterans, followed by a ceremonial 21-gun salute by the Baguio City Police Office and the Police Regional Office–Cordillera, echoing through the park as a sign of deep respect and honor.
Keynote speaker Florencio Esteban, a veteran himself and son of World War II hero Lt. Florencio Esteban, shared his father’s story. Lt. Esteban served as the second-in-command of the 1st Battalion of the USAFIP North Luzon 66th Infantry Brigade. Through personal stories and family memories, Esteban brought to life the courage, leadership, and sacrifice that marked his father’s journey.
This served as both a reminder and a challenge to never forget the past, and to carry the values of bravery, patriotism, and service into the present and future. Students, civic groups, and local residents joined the city’s leaders in showing respect and keeping the spirit of kagitingan alive for the next generation. By John Hermarc P. Villanueva
