Posted
on April 9, 2016
Today
Filipinos have an opportunity to remember and honor the courage of
their fighters during World War II. Most people have the day off for
work, and it tends to be a family day. Also, there are parades for
veterans and a presidential speech at a shrine on Mt. Samat.
It's
an interesting choice of a date, since April 9, 1942, was a day of
defeat and surrender. More than 76,000 Filipino, Chinese, and
American soldiers were surrendered to the Japanese and were then
forced to hike about 90 miles to a camp. Thousands died on that hike
– and because of this it is called the Bataan Death March – but
the captured soldiers dealt with the suffering in a downright heroic
way. Also, the fighting before the surrender was seen as key to
slowing down the Japanese progress in the Pacific. Eventually, of
course, American and Filipino forces retook the Bataan peninsula, won
the war, and released the prisoners who survived.
What
makes the Philippines special?
The
gorgeous Pacific islands that make up the Philippines are known for
their beaches, rainforests, mountains, and diving. Take a peek:
 |
| Above, rice terraces Below, the "Chocolate Hills" of Bohol |
 |
| Above, the Hinautan Enchanted River Below, Kawasan Falls |
 |
| Above, Palawan Island Below, one of the gorgeous reefs |
 |
| Above, Taal Volcano's crater lake Below, Tinago Falls |
The Philippines are also known for people who have fun and carry on even during flooding and rainstorms:
Also
on this date:
(A.K.A.)
Finnish Language Day
Plan
ahead:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
And
here are my Pinterest boards for:
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