14 April 2014 - Atop the Overlook—the highest point of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and providing a scenic view of downtown Honolulu and the iconic Diamond Head—more than 150 people comprising officials and representatives from the Hawaii state government, the US Pacific Command (PACOM), Filipino-American veterans groups, media and the Filipino community gathered in a solemn ceremony replete with military honors to commemorate the 72ndAnniversary of the Fall of Bataan or the Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9.
The program was held as a fitting tribute to all Filipino and American veterans who fought courageously, side-by-side, in defense of freedom during the Second World War (WWII).
Organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, the affair was attended by Governor Neil Abercrombie of the State of Hawaii; Major General Anthony Crutchfield, Chief of Staff of the US PACOM;, members of the Consular Corps of Hawaii; and members of the Hawaii Legislature, including Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, Vice Speaker of the House John Mizuno, Senators Clarence Nishihara and Representatives Henry Aquino and Ty Cullen.
Atty. Francis N. Tolentino, Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and who holds the rank of full colonel in the Philippine Army, was the Guest of Honor and Speaker. In his remarks, he reiterated the need to remember and honor the memory of our fallen and living veterans whose selfless sacrifice paved the way for our freedom and shared values.
Consul General Torres, Governor Abercrombie, Major General Crutchfield, NMCP Director James Horton also gave their inspiring remarks for the event. The messages of US Senators Brian Schatz, MazieHirono and Representatives Colleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard were also read during the ceremony.
Consul General Torres and Chairman Tolentino then led the guests to the march towards the Philippine 
Memorial Marker where memorial wreaths were laid in honor of the fallen soldiers of WWII. The marker is a piece of rock taken from Malinta Tunnel in Bataan and was installed in 2006 during the visit of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Philippine-American Friendship. The memorial rites concluded with the playing of taps and a memorial gun salute.
The Araw ng Kagitingan, a memorial ceremony honoring the courage and sacrifice of Filipino and American veterans of WWII, is held on the anniversary of the Fall of Bataan and the Bataan Death March, which claimed nearly 10,000 Filipino and American lives in April 1942. END