Traditions

Bataan Day commemorates those who lost their lives defending the peninsula of Bataan (in the Philippines) against the Japanese in 1941 -42 and those who subsequently died on the “Bataan Death March”. Also called “Day of Valor”. Celebrated on April 9th, each year. Bataan Day or Day of Valor (called Araw ng Kagitingan in native Filipino) is celebrated in honor of the American and Filipino troops who defended the Bataan peninsula in the Philippines against the Japanese during World War II. It is a day of remembrance marked by official speeches centered on the themes of honor and freedom. Large groups of Filipinos also re-walk parts of the route of the infamous “Bataan Death March” that was endured by American
and Filipino soldiers following their capture by the Japanese. The battleground of Bataan is a national shrine.

 

Bataan Day

Pawikan festival

The two-day festival this year was scheduled from Nov.30-Dec.1. Brgy. Nagbalayong in Morong, Bataan played host to the main event because it is where the Pawikan Conservation Center can be found. Morong’s beaches are used as nesting grounds by the endangered sea turtles. People who used to be poachers turned into protectors of these sea creatures through the Pawikan Conservation Center.

The stokedtraveler has always been amazed by these gentle sea creatures. Not only are they graceful swimmers but they are also one of the oldest living reptiles in the planet. One of his goals this year was to finally have a face to face encounter with one. He was also looking forward to witnessing the the majestic event when hundreds of pawikan hatchlings are released into the sea.

 

Pawikan festival