Bataan Day 2012 Celebration

Happy Bataan Day 2012!

On April 9, 1942, 12,000 American soldiers surrendered to the Japanese at the tip of the Bataan Peninsula, which juts into Manila Bay in the Philippines. For nearly five months, the troops had fought ferociously against overwhelming odds until they ran out of food, medical supplies and ammunition. As prisoners of war (POWs), they and thousands of Filipinos were taken to a camp run by the Japanese army. This grueling series of marches are now known as the Bataan Death March.

President Aquino will lead today the 70th commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan to highlight the 2012 observance of the Philippine Veterans Week.

"Araw ng Kagitingan", also known as the "Day of Valor, is a regular non-working holiday in the Philippines which is annually celebrated on the 9th of April to commemorate the heroism of Filipinos and American Soldiers when the Japanese occupied the Philippines during the World War II.

April 7, 2012 Black Saturday Holiday in Philippines

April 7, 2012 Black Saturday is Holiday in Philippines!

President Noynoy Aquino has declared April 7, 2012 a non-working day holiday.

“Our people must be given the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest,” he said.

Holiday will continue until April 9 (Monday) in observance of Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan Day).

40th Paraw Regatta Festival

Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Watch  40th Paraw Regatta Festival in Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho!

In the 40th Paraw Regatta Festival, colorful sails invaded the seas of Iloilo City! The festival's highlight was the sailcloth painting contest and the "paraw" or sailboat race! And because the weather has just started to get warm, the summer feel was perfect for the celebration and the festivities!

image and text credit:KMJS

Panagbenga Festival 2012 Schedule

Panagbenga Festival (English: Flower Festival) is a month-long annual flower festival occurring in Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. The term is ofMalayo-Polynesian origin, meaning "season of blooming".[1] The festival, held during the month of February, was created as a tribute to the city's flowers and as a way to rise up from the devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake. The festival includes floats that are decorated with flowers unlike those used in Pasadena's Rose Parade. The festival also includes street dancing, presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, that is inspired by the Bendian, an Ibaloi dance of celebration that came from the Cordillera region.

Here's the schedule of activities and events in the upcoming 17th Baguio Flower Festival or the Panagbenga Festival 2012 in Baguio City:

Chinese Spring Festival – January 23, 2012

Panagbenga Opening Parade – February 1, 2012

Market Encounter – February 1 – March 4, 2012

Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom – February 11, 2012

Handog ng Panagbenga sa Baguio – February 12, 2012

Fluvial Float Parade – February 12, 2012

Ipitik Festival – February 19 – 26, 2012

Grand Street Dancing Parade – February 25, 2012

Grand Float Parade – February 26, 2012

Session Road in Bloom – February 27 To March 4, 2012

Pony Boy’s Day – March 2, 2012

Panagbenga Closing Ceremonies and Grand Fireworks Display – March 4, 2012