Valor and Memories

 

Valor day, also known as Araw ng Kagitingan or Bataan Day, commemorates the fall of Bataan, an important event in Filipino history. On the 9th of April 1942, during World War 2, Major General Edward P. King Jr. was forced to surrender his troops to the Japanese army. And it is one of the most-devastating military defeats in American history. The force on Bataan, numbering some 76,000 Filipino and American troops, is the largest army under American command ever to surrender.

Unprepared for the number of prisoners, the Japanese decided to walk the prisoners 150km to a prison camp in San Fernando. Over 20,000 prisoners died on this march either through starvation, exhaustion or at the hands of the Japanese. The trek became infamous as the 'Bataan Death March'.

For the whispered words, “Bataan has fallen,” which was beamed by a freedom radio station that fateful day, merely signaled the start of a liberation struggle that was to rank the Filipinos among the world's most intense and courageous freedom fighters. “Araw ng Kagitingan is relevant in our society, this week-long commemoration is an opportunity to remember not only Filipino war veterans who died or served their country, but also those who served honorably in the military in times of war or peace.

Sources:

https://www.google.com.ph/amp/s/www.thetummytraveler.ph/2016/04/28/bataan-araw-ng-kagitingan-2016/amp/

https://www.bria.com.ph/articles/araw-ng-kagitingan-a-celebration-of-victory-and-heroism-of-filipino-freedom-fighters/

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/araw-ng-kagitingan

Behind the “Lenten Season”

 Lent is the 40-day period preceding Easter in the Christian calendar. Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a season of reflection and preparation before the Easter celebrations. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

 It is an important religious observance in the Christian world because it marks and commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's son, our Savior, and Redeemer. It's a good time and an opportunity to think about what it means to be a Christian. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. Also Lent, known as the "Great Fast," is a period of time during which Christians are supposed to give up some comfort or embrace some spiritual practice that focuses on self, repentance from sin, and, overall, soul renewal, all in anticipation of greater devotion to serving others and God. Catholics are not supposed to eat meat on Ash Wednesday. They also are expected to give up meat on Fridays during Lent. Catholics also are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday. Fasting means consuming only one full meal a day; two smaller meals that don't together add up to a full meal also are allowed. Almsgiving is, at its core, a spiritual and religious practice that helps strengthen our fondness for others, enhances our detachment, and encourages greater social justice. This three-fold meaning of almsgiving allows us to understand why it is so important during the Lenten season.

The Lenten Season is a time when people remember Jesus Christ's sufferings and death. During the Lenten season, people usually do three traditional things: pray, fast, and give alms. We have the capability and ability to be holy as sinners if we allow Christ into our lives.

We become responsible, law-abiding citizens and peacemakers if we obey his teachings. We become selfless, pondering of others who will benefit from our great actions, compassion, generosity, and gratitude. We become more conscientious of and concerned about others, particularly the underprivileged, underserved, marginalized, disabled, elderly, helpless, and hopeless among us.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lent

https://gravityleadership.com/how-to-fast-for-lent/