19 May 2015 – In commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco held a series of events at the Philippine Center, including a breakfast for veterans and an exhibit of World War II paraphernalia displayed at the Consular Area.

On April 15, a flag-raising ceremony was held at the Consular Section area, followed by a breakfast in honor of the events.  In his remarks, Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon underscored the importance of commemorating Araw ng Kagitingan in highlighting the courage, sacrifice and bravery of Filipino and American soldiers.  The soldiers’ stand in Bataan and Corregidor allowed the Allies sufficient time to mobilize their resources, which delayed the Japanese forces’ timetable in completely controlling the Pacific during World War II and led to the Allied victory over the Japanese.

Executive Director Cecilia Gaerlan encouraged the attendees, which included veterans and their families, American soldiers and Filipino-American law school students, to lobby for the inclusion of the Bataan Death March in the California educational curriculum.  She said that it was important that American history be cognizant of the seminal role that the Philippines played during WWII, and that Filipinos should lobby for the rights of Filipino veterans while they are still alive.

War veteran Aquilino Suarez Belen spoke on behalf of his colleagues, and thanked the attendees for their support.  He appealed to the community to make sure that their stories of bravery and sacrifice are preserved and shared, even after they have passed on.

World War II artifacts from the collection of Mr. Edgar de Leon, Vice President of the Bataan Legacy Historical Society (BLHS), were displayed at the Philippine Consulate Section beginning April 06.  Included in the collection were books, uniforms and medals from that period.  END