BATAAN - Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año represented President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the guest of honor during the 77th Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan. The celebration with the theme "Sakripisyo ng Beterano ay Gunitain, Gawing Tanglaw ng Kabataan Tungo sa Kaunlaran" was held on April 9, 2019 at Mt. Samat National Shrine, Pilar, Bataan.


In his speech, Sec. Año recognized the significance of remembering Araw ng Kagitingan. "The fall of Bataan is not just a commemoration of victory or defeat, the fall of Bataan is not only a recognition of valor and the highest level of patriotism, the fall of Bataan is a timeless state of resilience, heroism, and forgiveness that must be shared to the future generation and should never be forgotten", he said.
Vice-President Maria Leonora "Leni" Robredo also graced the event and lead the Wreath-Laying Ceremony together with DILG Sec. Ano, Ambassador of Japan H.E. Koji Haneda and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America John Law.
Congressman Jose Enrique Garcia III represented Governor Albert S. Garcia and delivered his welcome remarks. Likewise, winners in the National Creative Painting, Essay Writing, and Oratorical contests were also awarded by the guests during the program.
The last part of the celebration was the Viewing of the Mt. Samat Development Scale Model and Augmented Reality Project for the Underground Museum.