AJHS commemorates Araw Ng Kagitingan a day early with poignant reflection

The Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (AJHS) commemorated Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) 2025 in a special way with a short program in the covered courts on 8 April 2025. 

Held from 7:30 to 8:00 am, the event began with a poignant reflection written and delivered by Araling Panlipunan faculty Jay Hernando. Mr Hernando began by observing that online descriptions of “kagitingan” usually mention great courage or great bravery during battle. Mr Hernando then gave militaristic examples of valor, such as Ignatius of Loyola in the Battle of Pamplona, where his leg was shattered by a cannonball. And because the 2025 Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration also coincides with the world’s remembrance of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Mr Hernando also enumerated examples of Ateneans exhibiting bravery during World War II: there was basketball star Lieutenant Cesar Basa, who with fellow pilots attacked Japanese bombers with just 15 minutes worth of fuel left in his plane’s gas tank; and The Guidon’s first editor-in-chief, Captain Manuel Colayco, who rode with advanced elements of the US Army through Manila’s mine fields and UST’s heavily guarded main gate to rescue Allied civilian prisoners. 

Mr Hernando then expanded on this “militaristic” view of valor by emphasizing that “kagitingan” is also manifested by ordinary folk living their everyday lives. He said that athletes who play a game fair and square against opponents who disregard the rules are being brave and courageous, as are students who refuse to cheat during a difficult test. 

He then stated that remembering the valor of our ancestors provides inspiration and guidance. “Let their kagitingan be our guide and inspiration on how we fight the battles - small and large - that we face in our everyday life,” he concluded. 

After Mr Hernando’s reflection, the drum roll, the taps and the 21-gun salute were played over the PA system, which was then followed by a minute of silence and the communal singing of the Pambansang Awit and the recitation of the Panatang Makabayan.

The AJHS will continue its commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan with a Death March reenactment on Thursday, along with mini-exhibits and other activities throughout the week. These events are made possible through the combined efforts of various individuals and offices, including the Office of the Assistant Principal for Formation, Teatro Baguntao, Kamalayan at Tinig ng Atenista (KaTA), Bataaan Souvenirs, Master Joaquin Ong (9-Mangin), and the Araling Panlipunan subject area.