The Birth of Magiting

During World War II, the American forces in Bataan, Philippines, surrendered to the Japanese forces. There were about 70,000 soldiers marched from Mariveles town to San Fernando, in Pampanga.

The death march was a long line of soldiers walking under the heat of the sun, guarded by Japanese soldiers on both sides. Thousands died from disease, hunger and fatigue, while many of them stumbled and were bayoneted.

But it was also the time that Filipinos showed their courage. While the guards were looking elsewhere, they pulled out soldiers from the ranks and saved them from death. Quite a number of the marchers survived the death march.

That was April 9, 1942. And that was how the Philippines called this day, "Araw ng Kagitingan" (Day of Valour) a national holiday in the country.

But in 2007, one courageous baby boy was born in the city of Lapu-Lapu, in the province of Cebu.

He was named Zyruz Jayneil, and because of the holiday, we call him, MAGITING.