17 April 2006—Consul General to San Francisco Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Consulate commemorated Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on 9 April 2006 at the Philippine Center by inviting Filipino-American World War II veterans and members of the local community to a screening of the film “The Great Raid.”

The film depicts the true story of the liberation of the Cabanatuan prison camp, which is considered as the most successful rescue operation conducted in US military history.  Set against the backdrop of the battles of Bataan and Corregidor as well as the Bataan Death March, the movie pays homage to Filipino and American soldiers, women aid workers and others who fought for Philippine liberation during World War II.

In welcoming the Filipino-American veterans, Consul General Sanchez highlighted the importance of the commemoration, saying, “We celebrate Araw ng Kagitingan today to express our enduring gratitude and respect to our Fil-Am veterans and to the countless other patriots who played a part in defending our country, and turned a time of hardship and unrelenting danger into a moment of inspiration.”

The commemoration was preceded by a gathering at the Consulate, where traditional Filipino appetizers where served to all guests, followed by an impromptu presentation by some of the thirty or so Filipino-American veterans in attendance.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan – a Philippine national holiday – in honor of the men and women who defended the Philippines during the Second World War, and whose gallantry and patriotism have continuously inspired succeeding generations of Filipinos. Also known as Bataan Day, it commemorates the defense of the Bataan Peninsula by the combined forces of the United States Army Forces - Far East (USAFFE) and thousands of Filipino soldiers.  (Please refer to the accompanying photo release on this subject matter.) END