Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
I’ve never really given much thought about the April 9 annual holiday. I just realized how important it should be for our family. Because April 9 is the Philippine celebration for the Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Japanese. April 9 was the Fall of Bataan, where thousands of Filipino and American soldiers were taken by the Japanese and were forced to march through three provinces, which was later called the Death March.
Why is it important for our family? Because my grandfather (my dad’s father) survived the Death March. He was a World War II veteran, and he was only 18 years old at that time. Had he died during that march, my family wouldn’t be here today. I know a lot of other soldiers survived that time, and their grandchildren are enjoying life today. I just hope that they, too, appreciate the struggles that their grandparents had to endure during the war.
It’s just unfortunate that I never spent time with my grandfather to get to know him, and his many stories as a war veteran, and as a soldier during the Vietnam war. If there are any regrets in life that I have, it’s not getting to know my grandparents while they were alive. I was in college when my grandfather died, and my grandmother (his second wife) told me he would call out my name before he died. (I’m the only granddaughter, that’s why) and it was so so sad that I wasn’t there.
Looking at photos online about the Bataan Death March, I found some interesting blogs here and here. The photos were… I don’t know how to explain the feeling. But one thing I know is that I want to thank my grandfather, and the many other grandfathers out there, alive and not, who fought and won the war. If your grandfather is also a war veteran, I thank him, and I celebrate his life with you.
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I remember the story of how my great grandfather (mother’s side) survived the Death March. It was evening and the Filipino and American war prisoners were gathered in a sugarcane field in the province of Tarlac to sleep. My great grandfather opted to squeeze his body in between sugarcane shrubs because it was cooler than the ground. It was April so it’s the middle of summer in the Philippines. So he slept, and when he woke up, he realized that he was left behind. The Japanese soldiers did not see him. He made sure that no one alive was around (all around him were dead bodies), then he headed to his home, which is also in Tarlac. When he got home, my great grandmother didn’t recognize him, but of course, she was so happy as soon as she learned it was her husband. My great grandfather lived until after my mother was born. 
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Another thing that reminded me, and inspired me to write about the Fall of Bataan today, is the HBO miniseries “The Pacific“, which is similar to the “Band of Brothers“. I am not a fan of war movies because it’s depressing, but I suddenly remembered my grandfather since snippets of the miniseries would be shown when I watch TV. (too bad I don’t have his old photos)
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I am honored to be the youngest and only granddaughter of Capt. Juanito Gutierrez Bacani.