On Araw ng Kagitingan, President Marcos emphasized that today's challenges call for a return to "an important part of our identity as Filipinos"—the sense of compassion for others.

In his speech at the commemoration of the 84th anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Dambana ng Kagitingan on Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Thursday morning, April 9, Marcos urged Filipinos to recognize that everyone shares the same needs and dreams and is going through similar struggles.

Thus, the need to be compassionate toward one another.

"Sa panahon ng matitinding pagsubok, tulad ng nangyayari ngayon, kailangan nating balikan ang isang mahalagang bahagi ng katangian ng bilang Pilipino—ang pakikipagkapwa (In times of great trials, such as what we are experiencing now, we need to return to an important part of our identity as Filipinos—our sense of compassion for others)," he said.

"Dapat nating kilalanin na ang bawat isa ay may parehong pangangailangan, may parehong pangarap, at may parehong pinagdaraanan (We must recognize that each of us has the same needs, the same dreams, and is going through similar struggles)," he added.

In this way, he further said, "we can deepen our trust in the government, our concern for others, and our love for our country."

"Dahil kapag iniisip natin ang kapakanan ng iba, mas nagiging malinaw kung bakit kailangan tayong magtulungan at magkaisa (Because when we consider the welfare of others, it becomes clearer why we need to help one another and remain united)," the President said.

He  also said that through understanding and compassion, "we can help ease the struggles of our fellow Filipinos during these trying times, while reminding the public that the nation’s progress also reflects on how we rise above life challenges."

In his remarks, Marcos also emphasized  that honoring the past is not just remembrance but also a call to responsibility, urging the citizenry to maintain vigilance, unity, and action in the present.

"As we honor the past, we are reminded that remembrance is a call to responsibility, the sacrifices of those who came before us demands vigilance, unity, and the continuing will power to act in the present," he said.

The Chief Executive said that while today’s challenges differ from the past, they continue to test the country’s resilience, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that has since impacted the country's economy.

“Today’s challenges may not mirror those of yesterday, but they test us in much the same way. Among these is the enduring geopolitical tension that we are observing in the Middle East,” Marcos said.

 “While we may stand far from the centers of conflict,

we are not untouched by its consequences. Fuel prices weigh heavily on Filipino families, those who already have the least having been subjected the most to this scourge,” he added.

He reaffirmed his commitment to mitigating the impact of the war in the Gulf region and safeguarding the welfare of Filipinos.

“In moments like these, the government will do everything that is possible to cushion the impact and safeguard the welfare of our people,” the Chief Executive said, adding that governance alone is not enough as “nation-building has always been a shared responsibility” grounded in integrity, courage, and patriotism.

In a separate message for the Day of Valor, Marcos has urged Filipinos to draw inspiration from the heroism of those who fought in Bataan in every decision and stand they take.

The President emphasized that while today’s challenges may be different, compassion, unity, and love of country remain crucial to overcoming them.

"Kaya inaanyayahan ko ang bawat isa na isabuhay ang kagitingan sa bawat tamang desisyon, sa bawat pagtulong sa kapwa, at sa bawat paninindigan sa tama (So, I invite everyone to embody valor in every right decision, in every act of helping others, and in every stand for what is right)," Marcos said.

"Sapagkat ang tunay na lakas ng isang nasyon ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa mga tagumpay na ating ipinagdiriwang, kundi sa kung paano tayo tumatayo at lumalaban bilang isang bansa (For the true strength of a nation is not measured only by the victories we celebrate, but by how we stand and fight together as one people)," he added.

In Bataan and Corregidor, the Filipinos, who stood for the country's freedom, proved that a true hero does not surrender despite exhaustion, hardship, and grief, Marcos said.

"Ang kanilang kabayanihan ay hindi lamang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan. Ito ay buhay na paalala na ang diwa ng kagitingan ay nananatili sa bawat Pilipinong patuloy na nagsusumikap at bumabangon para sa kanilang pamilya at sa bayan (Their heroism is not only part of our history; it is a living reminder that the spirit of valor remains in every Filipino who continues to strive and rise for their family and for the nation)," he added.

The President further encouraged the citizenry to continue the cause of valor "in our daily choice to be good citizens."

In his speech in Bataan, Marcos also honored the heroes of World War II (WWII) who fought for the country’s freedom, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of war veterans and strengthening initiatives that recognize their invaluable contributions to nation-building.

He noted that the sacrifices made by WWII soldiers serve as a reminder of the country’s enduring spirit of resilience and unity even in the darkest of times.

"We gather here today to remember those who stood firm in the face of overwhelming adversity, as well as to reaffirm the values that they lived and that they died for—the values of courage, of dignity, and an unyielding love of country," Marcos said.

“The heroes of Bataan gave their all so that we, and the generations that follow, may inherit a nation that is free, sovereign, and worthy of their sacrifice. Their story reminds us that the fight for freedom knows no borders—and that solidarity, even in the darkest of times, is a force that binds humanity together,” the President added.

He further said that just as the Filipino spirit did not break when war heroes’ defenses fell, and they were forced to endure the Bataan Death March in 1942, the nation continues to embody the same resilience, as resistance continued across the country through guerrilla warfare and the quiet heroism of civilians who risked their lives to support the fight for freedom.

“This is the essence of our strength as a people—not merely the ability to fight, but the will to endure; not only to survive hardship, but to rise above it with dignity intact," he said.

"The story of Bataan is a cornerstone of our national identity and a guiding light for the generations that follow,” he added.

The President reaffirmed his support for veterans by ensuring they receive the best care they deserve.

Among the government initiatives cited are the close coordination with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office to establish veterans hospitals in Visayas and Mindanao to improve healthcare access for those who have long served our nation; ensuring that soldiers who suffer total permanent disability in the line of duty receive separation benefit that truly matches their sacrifices; and providing accessible and efficient healthcare services for our veterans through the Veterans Access to Lifetime Optimized Healthcare, or VALOR Clinic.

He assured veterans that their sacrifices will never be forgotten and their legacy continues to inspire future generations.

“No tribute can ever equal the debt that we owe you. But let this gathering stand as a promise: that your service will never be forgotten, your stories will always be told, and your legacy will drive us forward,” he said.

US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Robert Ewing, who also spoke during the Day of Valor commemoration in Bataan, emphasized that the legacy of Bataan should serve as a reminder to preserve the peace dearly won during the war.

"The Day of Valor reminds us that courage, sacrifice, and unity are timeless. The legacy of Bataan challenges us not only to remember – but to act: to preserve the peace that was so dearly won, and to ensure that future generations may thrive," Ewing said.

"From January to April 1942, Filipinos and Americans fought as one in some of the fiercest battles of the Pacific War. Many gave their lives. Those who survived endured the horrors of the Bataan Death March. Yet their sacrifice was not in vain. Together, our nations persevered, and three years later, the Philippines was liberated. In the years that followed, we rebuilt – together," Ewing also stated.

He said that the alliance between the United States and the Philippines "remains a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," noting that both sides work side-by-side to uphold a free and open region where international law is respected.