THE MEANING OF BATAAN
(Sermon delivered by Fr. Pacifico A. Ortiz, S.J.
on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1977
at the Ayala Quadrangle, Makati
before Filipino and American Defenders
of Bataan and Corregidor)
Fellow Veterans, Friends:
We are met at this Easter Morning on this quadrangle to honor and pray for our comrades-in-arms who 35 years ago today laid down their lives for their country on the battlefield that was Bataan.
Against any other background but Calvary and Easter, for us to observe a defeat, like the fall of Bataan, would be a senseless act of national self-flagellation. No man, no nation celebrates a defeat that ends and remains a defeat. But the story of the “empty tomb”, the story of Calvary’s defeat issuing forth into the glory of Easter victory illumines and hallows all human sacrifice that meets the ultimate test of the Son of man’s epitaph “greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
And so, when in 1952, 25 years ago today and 10 years after the fall of Bataan, Lt. Estrada, Sgt. Amor, Sgt. Burgos and Sgt. Bagatsing and other Bataan veterans conceived the idea of making the Fall of Bataan a day for national observance, they were intuitively following the logic of Calvary and Easter. Building perhaps better than they knew, they gave flesh and bone to the spirit that stirred in those final words Gen. MacArthur uttered as bowed to inevitable defeat; “The Bataan force went out as it would have wished, fighting to the end its flickering forlorn hope. No army has done so much with so little, and nothing became it more than its last hour of trial and agony. To the weeping mothers of its land, I can only say that the sacrifice and halo of Nazareth has descended upon their souls and that God will take them unto Himself.”
And so today, against all the cynics in our midst, We, Bataan Veterans, say this with humble reverence but with deep mystic truth and meaning: For us who served there, for our comrades who died there, for our generation that was bled white there: Bataan was our Passion, Bataan was our Calvary, Bataan was for our nation both the reality and the symbol, the deed and the remembrance of that supreme agony that brought forth our freedom and fashioned out of death the resurrection of our country. And when, in the evening of our lives, our children ask us about it, this will be our message to them and to their children’s children: “remember Bataan, remember those who died there, for by their wounds you were healed “.
Be that as it may, to you, our American friends, to you our fellow veterans, who have come ten thousand miles across the sea to relive with us the agony and the ecstasy that was Bataan, we say this: It is joy, it is glory enough for us to be once again in your company of all those who fought at our side in the spring tide of our youth, of those who stood with us as we fought our last battle, of those who wept with us in the last hour of agony and defeat.
For us to come together is not to relive dead memories: it is to thank God, as we do thank Him through this Mass; that for all of war’s muck and pain and tragedy, it was given to us in the high noon of our youth to share the perils and passions of the war; for us to be with one another, inside this moment that is Bataan, is to rediscover our true and noble selves.
For war indeed is dirt and hunger and loneliness and it is hate. War is wounds and mangled bodies and sudden death. War is all these and more. But all these somehow we can forget. All these and hatred too, we have long forgotten.
What we cannot forget, what we must never forget, is the other side, the splendid, the magnificent side of war which binds us, in the kinship of the brave, not only with one comrades-in-arms, but even with those who were once our enemies. We cannot forget that once upon a time – in the muck and blood of war, we lived and walked with men who knew how to fight and die, with men who loved life, yet knew how to throw it away – for a friend, for a comrade, for a cause.
We cannot forget how in the muck and blood of war, we too, even we of our much maligned generation, by a strange breath of courage that came to us we knew not where, even we, did rise to heights of selflessness and heroism – if only for a day, for an hour, for a moment; how we too – in a moment of truth which only the war could bring to that of us – knew how to forget ourselves, and how to throw away our lives for others – shirking no danger, daring that fates sticking by our comrades down to the jaws of death.
This was the true measure of ourselves as a people in time of war; this must again be the true measure of our people and of each one of us today – in this new uncharted crisis of our national existence – as we battle against massive forces of the political corruption, of economic greed, of moral cowardice and degeneration – that bar our country’s march of march to greatness.
The message of Bataan, like the eternal message of Easter, is not to reminisce on our past, and rest content; it is to look to the future and shape it in the spirit of Bataan, which is freedom and human dignity.
The angels guarding Christ’s empty tomb on Easter morning said to His disciples – “ He is risen, he is not here, why seek ye the living among the dead?”
Bataan’s message for us and our children is the same, though couched in different words: Look to the future and shape it to thy image, for, “Men fit to be free, stand to be counted.”
MANUEL L. QUEZON'S COMMONWEALTH INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Fellow Countrymen:
In the exercise of your constitutional prerogative you have elected me to the presidency of the Commonwealth. I am profoundly grateful for this new expression of your confidence, and God helping me, I shall not fail you.
The event which is now taking place in our midst transcends in importance the mere induction into office of your Chief Executive. We are bringing into a being a new nation. We are seeing the fruition of our aged-old striving for liberty. We are witnessing the final stage in the fulfillment of the noblest undertaking ever attempted by any nation in its dealing with a subject people. And how well this task has been performed is attested to by the blessing which from fourteen million people goes to America in this solemn hour. President McKinley’s cherished hope has been fulfilled – the Filipino look back with gratitude to the day when Destiny placed their land under the beneficent guidance of the people in the United States.
It is fitting that high dignitaries of the American Government should attend these ceremonies. We are thankful to them for their presence here. The President of the united States, his Excellency, Franklin D. Roosevelt, ever solicitous of our freedom and welfare, has sent to us, as his personal representative, the Secretary representative, the Secretary of War, Honorable George H. Dern, whose friendship for our people has proven most valuable in the past. Vice President Garner, Speaker Byrns, distinguished members of the Senate with their floor leader, Senator Robinson, and no less distinguished members of the House of Representatives have traveled ten thousand miles to witness this historic event. I feel that their presence the whole American Nation is here today to rejoice with us in the fulfillment of America’s pledge generously given that the Filipino people is to become free and independent. It is my hope that the ties of friendship and affection which bind the Philippines to America will remain unbroken and grow stronger after the severance of our political relations with her.
In behalf of the Filipino people, I express deep appreciation to Honorable Frank Murphy, our last Governor-General, for his just and efficient administration and for the wholehearted assistance he has rendered us in the difficult task of laying the constitutional foundation of our new Government.
As we enter the threshold of independent nationhood, let us pause for a moment t pay tribute to the memory of Rizal and Bonifacio and all the heroes of our sacred cause in grateful acknowledgement of their patriotic devotion and supreme sacrifice. Fellow countrymen: The government which we are inaugurating today is only a means to an end. It is an instrumentality placed in our hands to prepare ourselves fully for the responsibilities of complete independence. It is essential that this last step be taken with full consciousness of its significance and the great opportunities that is afford to us.
Under the Commonwealth, our life may not be one of ease and comfort, but rather of hardship and sacrifice. We shall face the problems which lie in our path, sparing neither time nor effort in solving them. We shall build a government that will be just, honest, efficient, and strong so that the foundations of the coming Republic may be firm and enduring – a government indeed, that must satisfy not only the passing needs of the hour but also the exacting demands of the future. We do not have to tear down the existing institutions in order till give way to a statelier structure. There will be no violent changes from the established order of things, except such as may be absolutely necessary to carry into effect the innovations contemplated by the Constitution. A new edifice shall rice, not out of the ashes of the past, but out of the standing materials of the living present. Reverence for laws as the expression of the popular will is the starting point in democracy. The maintenance of peace and public order is the joint obligation of the government and the citizens. I have an abiding faith in the good sense of the people and in their respect for law and the constituted authority. Wide spread public disorder and lawlessness may cause the downfall of constitutional government and lead to American intervention. Even after independence, if we should prove ourselves incapable of protecting life, liberty and property of nationals and foreigners, we shall be exposed to the danger of intervention by foreign powers. No one need have any misgivings as to the attitude of the Government toward lawless individuals or subversive movements. They shall be dealt with firmly. Sufficient armed forces will be maintained at all times to quell and suppress any rebellion against the authority of this Government or the sovereignty of the United States.
There cab be no progress except under the auspices of peace. Without peace and pubic order it will be impossible to promote education, improve the condition of the masses, protect the poor and ignorant against exploitation, and otherwise insure the enjoyment of life, liberty and property. I appeal, therefore to every Filipino to give the Government his loyal support so that tranquility may reign supreme in our beloved land.
Our Constitution established an independent judiciary by providing for security of tenure and compensation of judges. But independence is not the only objective of a good judicially. Equally, if not more important, is its integrity which will depend upon the judicious selection of its members. The administration of justice cannot be expected to rise higher that the moral and intellectual standards of the men who dispense it. To bulwark the fortification of an orderly and just government, it shall be my task to appoint to the bench only men of proven honesty, character, learning and ability so that everyone may feel when he appears before the courts of justice that he will be protected in his’ rights, and that no man in this country from the Chief Executive to the last citizen is above the law.
We are living today amidst the storm and stress of one of the most tragic epochs of history. Acute unemployment and economic distress threaten the stability of governments the world over. The very foundations of civilized society are shaken. The common man alone can save humanity from disaster. It is our duty to prove to him that under a republican system of government he can every opportunity to attain his happiness and that if his family. Protection to labor, especially to working woman and minors, just regulation of the of the relations between the labor and capital industry and agriculture, solicitous regard on the part of the government for the well-being of the masses are the means to bring about the needed economic and social equilibrium between the component elements of the society.
A government draws the breath of life from its finances, and it must balance its income and expenditures as any other going business concern if it expects to survive. It is my duty, then to see, that the Government of the Commonwealth live within its means and that it stands foursquare on a well balanced budget.
The larger expenditures which the grave responsibilities ahead of us will entail, including national defense, must be borne by taxation. So long as we are able to meet those responsibilities from our present income we shall not impose new taxes. But we are among the least taxed people in the world and, therefore, when necessity arises, we should be willing to accept the burden of increased taxation. Liberty and independence can be possessed only by those who are ready to pay the price in life or fortune.
To enable us more adequately to meet the new responsibilities of the Commonwealth and to raise the living conditions of our people, we must increase the wealth of the Nation by giving greater impetus to economic development, improving our methods of agriculture, diversifying our crops, creating new industries, and fostering our domestic and foreign commerce. I trust that the forthcoming trade conference between representatives of the United States and the Philippines will result in a more just and beneficial commercial relation between the two countries.
The establishment of an economical, simple, and efficient government, the maintenance of an independent civil service; the implantation of an adequate system of public instruction to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and vocational efficiency; the safeguarding of the health and vigor of the race; the conservation and development of our natural resources — these and other matters of equal import are touched upon at length in the platform of the Coalition and in my speech of acceptance of my nomination, and it is unnecessary for me to reiterate my views regarding them. Having been elected on the virtuality of that platform and the policies enunciated by me in the course of the presidential campaign, I renew my pledge faithfully to carry them into execution.
Goodwill towards all nations shall be the golden rule of my administration. The peoples of the earth are interdependent and their prosperity and happiness are inseparably linked with each other. International brotherhood and cooperation are therefore necessary. Amity and friendship, fairness and square deal in our relations with other nations and their citizens or subjects, protection in their legitimate investments and pursuits, in return for their temporary allegiance to our institutions and laws, are the assurances I make on behalf of the new Government to Americans and foreigners who may desire to live, trade and otherwise associate with us in the Philippines.
In the enormous task of fully preparing ourselves for independence we shall be beset with serious difficulties, but we will resolutely march forward. I appeal to your patriotism and summon your nobility of heart so that we may, united in the common endeavor, once more dedicate ourselves to the realization of our national destiny. I face the future with hope and fortitude, certain that God never abandons a people who ever follows His unerring and guiding Hand. May He give me light, strength, and courage evermore that I may not falter in the hour of service to my people!
In the exercise of your constitutional prerogative you have elected me to the presidency of the Commonwealth. I am profoundly grateful for this new expression of your confidence, and God helping me, I shall not fail you.
The event which is now taking place in our midst transcends in importance the mere induction into office of your Chief Executive. We are bringing into a being a new nation. We are seeing the fruition of our aged-old striving for liberty. We are witnessing the final stage in the fulfillment of the noblest undertaking ever attempted by any nation in its dealing with a subject people. And how well this task has been performed is attested to by the blessing which from fourteen million people goes to America in this solemn hour. President McKinley’s cherished hope has been fulfilled – the Filipino look back with gratitude to the day when Destiny placed their land under the beneficent guidance of the people in the United States.
It is fitting that high dignitaries of the American Government should attend these ceremonies. We are thankful to them for their presence here. The President of the united States, his Excellency, Franklin D. Roosevelt, ever solicitous of our freedom and welfare, has sent to us, as his personal representative, the Secretary representative, the Secretary of War, Honorable George H. Dern, whose friendship for our people has proven most valuable in the past. Vice President Garner, Speaker Byrns, distinguished members of the Senate with their floor leader, Senator Robinson, and no less distinguished members of the House of Representatives have traveled ten thousand miles to witness this historic event. I feel that their presence the whole American Nation is here today to rejoice with us in the fulfillment of America’s pledge generously given that the Filipino people is to become free and independent. It is my hope that the ties of friendship and affection which bind the Philippines to America will remain unbroken and grow stronger after the severance of our political relations with her.
In behalf of the Filipino people, I express deep appreciation to Honorable Frank Murphy, our last Governor-General, for his just and efficient administration and for the wholehearted assistance he has rendered us in the difficult task of laying the constitutional foundation of our new Government.
As we enter the threshold of independent nationhood, let us pause for a moment t pay tribute to the memory of Rizal and Bonifacio and all the heroes of our sacred cause in grateful acknowledgement of their patriotic devotion and supreme sacrifice. Fellow countrymen: The government which we are inaugurating today is only a means to an end. It is an instrumentality placed in our hands to prepare ourselves fully for the responsibilities of complete independence. It is essential that this last step be taken with full consciousness of its significance and the great opportunities that is afford to us.
Under the Commonwealth, our life may not be one of ease and comfort, but rather of hardship and sacrifice. We shall face the problems which lie in our path, sparing neither time nor effort in solving them. We shall build a government that will be just, honest, efficient, and strong so that the foundations of the coming Republic may be firm and enduring – a government indeed, that must satisfy not only the passing needs of the hour but also the exacting demands of the future. We do not have to tear down the existing institutions in order till give way to a statelier structure. There will be no violent changes from the established order of things, except such as may be absolutely necessary to carry into effect the innovations contemplated by the Constitution. A new edifice shall rice, not out of the ashes of the past, but out of the standing materials of the living present. Reverence for laws as the expression of the popular will is the starting point in democracy. The maintenance of peace and public order is the joint obligation of the government and the citizens. I have an abiding faith in the good sense of the people and in their respect for law and the constituted authority. Wide spread public disorder and lawlessness may cause the downfall of constitutional government and lead to American intervention. Even after independence, if we should prove ourselves incapable of protecting life, liberty and property of nationals and foreigners, we shall be exposed to the danger of intervention by foreign powers. No one need have any misgivings as to the attitude of the Government toward lawless individuals or subversive movements. They shall be dealt with firmly. Sufficient armed forces will be maintained at all times to quell and suppress any rebellion against the authority of this Government or the sovereignty of the United States.
There cab be no progress except under the auspices of peace. Without peace and pubic order it will be impossible to promote education, improve the condition of the masses, protect the poor and ignorant against exploitation, and otherwise insure the enjoyment of life, liberty and property. I appeal, therefore to every Filipino to give the Government his loyal support so that tranquility may reign supreme in our beloved land.
Our Constitution established an independent judiciary by providing for security of tenure and compensation of judges. But independence is not the only objective of a good judicially. Equally, if not more important, is its integrity which will depend upon the judicious selection of its members. The administration of justice cannot be expected to rise higher that the moral and intellectual standards of the men who dispense it. To bulwark the fortification of an orderly and just government, it shall be my task to appoint to the bench only men of proven honesty, character, learning and ability so that everyone may feel when he appears before the courts of justice that he will be protected in his’ rights, and that no man in this country from the Chief Executive to the last citizen is above the law.
We are living today amidst the storm and stress of one of the most tragic epochs of history. Acute unemployment and economic distress threaten the stability of governments the world over. The very foundations of civilized society are shaken. The common man alone can save humanity from disaster. It is our duty to prove to him that under a republican system of government he can every opportunity to attain his happiness and that if his family. Protection to labor, especially to working woman and minors, just regulation of the of the relations between the labor and capital industry and agriculture, solicitous regard on the part of the government for the well-being of the masses are the means to bring about the needed economic and social equilibrium between the component elements of the society.
A government draws the breath of life from its finances, and it must balance its income and expenditures as any other going business concern if it expects to survive. It is my duty, then to see, that the Government of the Commonwealth live within its means and that it stands foursquare on a well balanced budget.
The larger expenditures which the grave responsibilities ahead of us will entail, including national defense, must be borne by taxation. So long as we are able to meet those responsibilities from our present income we shall not impose new taxes. But we are among the least taxed people in the world and, therefore, when necessity arises, we should be willing to accept the burden of increased taxation. Liberty and independence can be possessed only by those who are ready to pay the price in life or fortune.
To enable us more adequately to meet the new responsibilities of the Commonwealth and to raise the living conditions of our people, we must increase the wealth of the Nation by giving greater impetus to economic development, improving our methods of agriculture, diversifying our crops, creating new industries, and fostering our domestic and foreign commerce. I trust that the forthcoming trade conference between representatives of the United States and the Philippines will result in a more just and beneficial commercial relation between the two countries.
The establishment of an economical, simple, and efficient government, the maintenance of an independent civil service; the implantation of an adequate system of public instruction to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and vocational efficiency; the safeguarding of the health and vigor of the race; the conservation and development of our natural resources — these and other matters of equal import are touched upon at length in the platform of the Coalition and in my speech of acceptance of my nomination, and it is unnecessary for me to reiterate my views regarding them. Having been elected on the virtuality of that platform and the policies enunciated by me in the course of the presidential campaign, I renew my pledge faithfully to carry them into execution.
Goodwill towards all nations shall be the golden rule of my administration. The peoples of the earth are interdependent and their prosperity and happiness are inseparably linked with each other. International brotherhood and cooperation are therefore necessary. Amity and friendship, fairness and square deal in our relations with other nations and their citizens or subjects, protection in their legitimate investments and pursuits, in return for their temporary allegiance to our institutions and laws, are the assurances I make on behalf of the new Government to Americans and foreigners who may desire to live, trade and otherwise associate with us in the Philippines.
In the enormous task of fully preparing ourselves for independence we shall be beset with serious difficulties, but we will resolutely march forward. I appeal to your patriotism and summon your nobility of heart so that we may, united in the common endeavor, once more dedicate ourselves to the realization of our national destiny. I face the future with hope and fortitude, certain that God never abandons a people who ever follows His unerring and guiding Hand. May He give me light, strength, and courage evermore that I may not falter in the hour of service to my people!
