Fog, rains fail to dampen Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Bataan

Fog and rains failed to dampen the early atmosphere at the "Araw ng Kagitingan" program in Bataan province Saturday morning. Despite getting wet, students entertained the audience who waited for President Benigno Aquino III at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) in Pilar town. Organizers set up tents for the guests to keep them from getting wet, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported. War veterans, students, and Boy and Girl Scouts all braved the fog and rain while waiting for President Aquino and government officials. Aquino was to lead the 69th commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Pilar, Bataan. Likewise expected to attend the event were Ambassadors Harry Thomas Jr. (United States) and Makoto Katsura (Japan). With the theme “Beterano: Huwaran ng Lahing Pilipino," this year’s celebration is one of the events organized by the Defense Department for Filipino veterans who fought during the World War II, a Malacañang statement said. Around 2,000 guests composed of war veterans, students, local officials and members of the diplomatic corps and teachers were to attend Saturday’s event. In 1987, Aquino's mother the late President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order 23, declaring April 9 of every year a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. In 1989, she issued Proclamation 466 designating April 9 to 11 of each year as Philippine Veterans Week in recognition of the gallantry of Filipino war veterans. — LBG, GMA News