President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his second State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on July 28, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Valor or bravery can also be shown through little acts of compassion, generosity, and kindness as they create meaningful waves of positive change in communities, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Filipinos on Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan.

The Philippines on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, marked the 83rd anniversary of the Day of Valor, which commemorates Filipino and American soldiers who stood up against Japanese forces during World War II.

"Through acts of genuine service and self-offering to the nation, we can prove that we are not only made of the same noble stock as our noteworthy ancestors but also the rightful heirs of their heroic legacy," Marcos said in his Day of Valor message.

On April 9, 1942, around 76,000 Filipino and American troops surrendered to Japan as Bataan province fell to invaders. 

Thousands of captives died, as they were forced to march about 140 kilometers to Capas town in Tarlac from Mariveles town in Bataan.

Filipinos were the last in Southeast Asia to surrender to Japan during that war and "we became the inspiration of the world," according to historian Xiao Chua.

Marcos described the Filipinos' "unwavering courage and patriotism" as a "remarkable story" that "continues to inspire us all as we carry on their work of protecting our nation and building a country worthy of their sacrifice."

"Indeed, this year's commemoration shows that our country is a cradle of heroes and heroines—a home of noblemen and women who, regardless of risk or cost, willingly gave a part of themselves and even their lives for the sake of their beloved nation," he said.

In his speech before Filipino war veterans and their families at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Bataan, Marcos said "the solution to war is not more war, and that the solution to war is only peace."

"Peace cannot be a thing by one person, by one country alone. And that we have to bring together all the parties that are involved. These are the lessons that we hope to have learned," he said.

"We are a little bit disappointed to see that parts of the world and many countries in the world have yet to learn that lesson and we hope that that peace will be brought to us soon."

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte reminded the public: "Sa Bataan ay naipanalo ng mga Pilipino ang pag-asa at ang taglay nitong kapangyarihan para magpatuloy tayo sa pagsulong sa kabila ng mga hamon ng panahon. Ipagdiwang natin ang kanilang alaala sa pamamagitan ng pagtatag ng isang bansang kailanma’y hindi na muling daranas ng gayong pagdurusa." 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez also commemorated the bravery of Filipinos in Bataan, saying courage also "looks like ordinary people doing extraordinary things."

"[T]o every Filipino showing quiet strength and sacrifice every single day—you are our heroes, too," he said.