2026 Bataan Freedom March Returns to Honor the 84th Anniversary of Valor

Following the success of its 2025 run, the Philippine Veterans Bank, in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Department of National Defense (DND),, is proud to announce the return of the Freedom March slated on February 28 to March 1, 2026.

This is more than a walk; it is a profound journey of remembrance. Over two days, marchers 

including civilians, veterans' descendants, and members of the AFP—will retrace the historic 100+ kilometer route endured by Filipino and American soldiers during the infamous Bataan Death March of World War II.

“The Freedom March is an inclusive tribute open to everyone who wishes to honor the legacy of our heroes,” said PVB First Vice President Miguel Angelo C. Villa-Real. “Eighty-four years later, we carry their torch to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten”.

The march is strategically divided into 10-kilometer segments, allowing participants to join for a single portion or commit to the entire historic trail:

On day 1, Feb 28, the tribute begins at the stroke of midnight (12:01 AM) at Kilometer Zero in Mariveles, Bataan, concluding the first major stretch at Dinalupihan by 7:00 PM.

On day 2 March 1, the march resumes at 1:00 AM. Marchers head toward San Fernando, Pampanga. The journey concludes with a closing ceremony at 6:00 PM at the Capas National Shrine—the hallowed ground of the former Camp O’Donnell.

Throughout the trek, participants will pass the Freedom March Guidon and torch, symbolizing a continuous flame of bravery passed from one generation to the next.

In honor of our veterans, participation in the Freedom March is free of charge. However, to ensure safety and coordination across the three involved provinces, advance registration is strictly required.

Whether you are a fitness enthusiast looking for a challenge, a history buff, or a patriot wishing to pay your respects, your presence helps keep the flame of valor alive.

The organizers are also inviting corporate leaders to join as Co-Presenters. Sponsors can maximize brand visibility at key stops every 10 kilometers and during the nationally recognized opening and closing programs.

Join us as we walk for those who could not. Register today and be part of this heartfelt, historic tribute. To register, visit https://www.facebook.com/veteransbankmarch, email pvbcares@veteransbank.com.ph or call the Bank’s Hotline (02) 7902-1782, Tollfree number: 1800-8902-1782 (Globe, Globelines, TM) or 1800-10-857-3888 (PLDT, Smart).

Freedom March Rekindles the Spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ as it Commemorates Fallen heroes of Bataan

In the early hours of March 16, 2024, hundreds of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), civic group representatives, descendants of World War II veterans, and various community members, gathered at the historic Kilometer Zero in Mariveles, Bataan, to embark on the poignant 160-km Freedom March. 

This momentous event, organized by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) in collaboration with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Department of National Defense (DND), is a profound act of remembrance and honor, marking the 82nd anniversary of the Fall of Bataan.

The Freedom March, resuming after a hiatus, traces the actual route of the infamous Bataan Death March in 1942 and culminates at the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac. It commemorates the courage and sacrifice of World War II's Filipino and American heroes and serves as a solemn tribute to their enduring spirit. 

"Eighty-two years later, we return to these hallowed grounds, not as witnesses to the sorrow and pain, but as bearers of remembrance and respect. Those WWII veterans went beyond the call of duty defending or country despite their vintage weapons and limited ammunition. They fought starvation, sickness and a well armed enemy. As they marched, they still did not think of their own, but thought about their comrades. Our presence here today honors those heores. We walk this path to relive history, not to reopen old wounds, but to ensure that their example lives on and is passed on to the next generation." said Mike Villa-Real, PVB first vice president for marketing and communications.

Participants, spanning generations and backgrounds, are offered a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of heroes, engaging in a powerful educational experience that deeply connects them with this pivotal moment in history. 

The Freedom March covers the route taken by approximately 76,000 POWs, transforming each step into a personal encounter with the past, and reinforcing the narratives of endurance and resilience that are foundational to our heritage.

The 2024 Freedom March extends an open invitation to the public, encouraging everyone— students, families, and local communities—to join in this moving tribute. The arduous walk can be made lighter with offerings of food, water, and encouragement from passersby. 

Decades ago, residents risked their own safety by throwing food and water to the starving soldiers passing by their houses.  

This display not only shows the kindness of Filipinos towards strangers but also illustrates how humanity can shine even in the darkest times. Walking under the heat of the sun is no mean feat, yet this reenactment serves as a small, symbolic sacrifice compared to the unimaginable horrors our fallen heroes endured. 

Through these acts of communal support, participants and onlookers alike breathe life into the timeless spirit of ‘bayanihan,’ demonstrating a collective memory and unwavering respect for the past. 

As we come together to retrace these historic steps, we reaffirm our commitment to remembering the lessons of history, ensuring that the bravery, suffering, and ultimate sacrifice of those who came before us are never forgotten but honored and learned from, generation after generation.

At each Freedom March, we do more than remember; we pledge to uphold the values, courage, and spirit of those who walked before us, ensuring their legacy endures for generations to come.

For more information about the event, follow https://www.facebook.com/veteransbankmarch.

LIBERATOR LAGER! “Fulfill Your Promise.”

Crisp, refreshing, and easily enjoyable, Liberator Lager is brewed using a precise selection of high-quality Pilsner malt and finest American hops. Classic European brewing techniques bring all the ingredients together to deliver a beer that has the right touch of malt sweetness and a subtle yet unique tropical profile of citrus, passionfruit, and melon. A fresh pour of Liberator Lager from the draft makes it an undeniably satisfying drink with Romulo Café's most popular dishes.

Liberator Lager was conceptualized by Enzo Squillantini, co-founder of the popular Romulo Café Chain of Restaurants with his wife Sandie Romulo-Squillantini, primarily to honor the memory and legacy of Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, who was the “last man off Bataan” on April 9, 1942 and “one of the first” to return as Aide-de-Camp of Gen. Douglas MacArthur on October 20, 1944, during the famous landing at Leyte, captured in this iconic monument that stands in Palo, Leyte, then called “Red Beach”.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur issued his immortal promise “I Shall Return”, after he was ordered by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to leave his beleaguered headquarters in the Malinta Tunnel on Corregidor, “the Rock”, and regroup in Australia to lead the Allied effort to mount a counteroffensive against the Imperial Japanese forces that have invaded and occupied Asia.

After 2-1/2 years, Gen. MacArthur did fulfill his promise to return and liberate the Philippine Islands from the Japanese on October 20th, 1944, codenamed A-Day, leading the greatest naval armada the world has ever seen, consisting of 600 magnificent ships carrying 250,000 Americans, larger than D-Day in Normandy, France, and supported by clouds of planes at which he declared, “People of the Philippines, I have returned!”

LIBERATOR LAGER is also our salute to the brave Filipino men and women who have fought and died to attain our freedoms and protect our liberties in the course of our nation’s historic struggle for independence. Starting with the sporadic revolts against Spain throughout the islands, that finally culminated in the historic Cry of Balintawak when Filipinos tore their cedulas to signify the start of the revolution against an abusive colonizer, followed by those who fought during the Philippine-American War, and finally for those 75,000 Filipino soldiers and 10,000 Americans in the Battle for Bataan and the Last Stand on Corregidor, the subsequent Death March, and the thousands of Filipino guerillas who continued the struggle behind enemy lines during the brutal Japanese occupation of World War II.

Finally, in today’s world, Liberator Lager represents a toast to all of us who love our freedoms (as much as our beer), specially to those noble men and women with integrity, who keep their word, honor their commitment and fulfill their promise, to their spouse and children, to their colleagues and customers, to their friends and neighbors, to their nation and to God. Mabuhay!

Celebrate Victory! Celebrate Freedom! Celebrate with Liberator Lager! Pair this craft beer with our signature dishes like Lola Virginia’s Chicken Relleno, first served by the wife of Gen. Carlos P. Romulo in Washington D.C., our best-seller Tito Greg’s Kare-Kare, and all-time favorite, CPR for Crispy Pata ni Romulo.

LIBERATOR LAGER – Fulfill Your Promise.

“I am a Filipino born to freedom, and I shall not rest until freedom shall have been added unto my inheritance – for myself and my children and my children’s children – forever.”

 I AM A FILIPINO
By Carlos P. Romulo