On the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Bataan, descendants of our World War II Filipino and American veterans, along with military personnel, representatives from the local and national government, the diplomatic community, students, families, and more, will once again walk in our heroes’ footsteps at the Bataan Death March Commemmorative Walk.

This coming March 16 and 17, 2024, the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), in collaboration with the Department of National Defense (DND), the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), and the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), will host the annual Freedom March, a 160-kilometer memorial walk for the WWII heroes.

Starting in Mariveles, Bataan, and ending in Capas, Tarlac, the Freedom March will follow the real historical path of the Death March.

The public is cordially invited to participate in this solemn remembrance of the bravery and selflessness of the American and Filipino warriors who fought in one of history’s most tragic periods at the Battle of Bataan.

“The Freedom March isn’t just a journey over land; it’s a journey through time, honoring the undying spirit of those who walked before us,” Mike Villa-Real, PVB first vice president for marketing and communications, said. “This year, as we walk, we don’t just tread on the ground; we walk alongside the echoes of bravery and resilience that resonate through our nation’s history.”

The Freedom March encapsulates the route taken by approximately 66,000 Filipino and 10,000 American POWs. It stretches from Mariveles and Saysain Point in Bagac town, Bataan province, to Camp O’Donnell in Capas town, Tarlac province.

This path, steeped in history, offers a tangible connection to the past, turning every step into a personal encounter with history. This act of remembrance reinforces the narratives of endurance and resilience that form the bedrock of our heritage.

According to  Villa-Real, the 2024 Freedom March is designed to be a powerful educational experience, providing participants with an opportunity to connect deeply with history. Unlike the original Death March’s grueling journey, the event features a symbolic 10-kilometer walk, making it accessible for more individuals who wish to participate in this act of remembrance. Participants may opt to join certain segments of the walk that may start in a location nearest and most convenient for them.

 The march symbolizes a united front in honoring the sacrifices made for our nation’s freedom. “Each step taken in the Freedom March is a step of gratitude, a step of understanding, and a step towards ensuring that the legacy of our heroes endures,” added Villa-Real.

Everyone is cordially invited to join the Freedom March, which is a call to action to not only walk but also to fully engage with the profound lessons of history. Participants who are interested can sign up at bit.ly/freedom-march-2024. It costs nothing to register.

“As we march, we do more than remember; we pledge to carry the torch of their legacy forward, shining a light for future generations,” concludes Villa-Real.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/veteransbankmarch for additional details about the event.

Close to 5,000 employee volunteering hours also clocked in for Manulife’s community investment across Asia

In line with its global Impact Agenda, which aims to provide significant programs that promote long-term health and well-being, foster equitable economic opportunities, and expedite a sustainable future for environmental preservation, the domestic division of top global insurer Manulife has extended its partnership with eminent nature conservation organization Haribon Foundation by means of the Forests for Life initiative.

“As we reach and engage more communities across the country through our Impact Agenda, we will continue to strengthen our community investments that will not only help us build a better business to better the world, but also foster kindness, generosity, and the bayanihan spirit among many Filipinos,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

11,250 seedlings to be planted in 2024

Manulife Philippines pledges to plant 11,250 native tree seedlings in Masinloc, Zambales this year through the Haribon Foundation. This extends Manulife’s partnership with Haribon, which started in 2022 with an aim to plant 15,000 seedlings in the provinces of Quezon and Rizal to aid in the restoration of Philippine rainforests.

The town of Masinloc is home to a 30,000-hectare reforestation area known as the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, which is part of the Zambales highlands and is home to several endangered bird and non-bird species. The region’s biodiversity was destroyed when chromite mining operations were conducted there in the past. In order for the devastated environment to recover today, replanting and conservation are crucial.

To help advance positive environmental change, Manulife has been working on implementing its sustainability action plans. In 2022, Manulife contributed USD 25.1 million in total community investments globally. There are also 1.3 billion trees planted by Manulife Investment Management all over the world since 1985, testifying to its longstanding commitment to create more nature-positive world for its communities*.

Manulife Volunteer Days launched in 10 markets in Asia, including the Philippines

Employee giving and volunteering is also part of Manulife’s community engagement initiatives for its Impact Agenda. During the “Season of Giving” last year, the company launched its Manulife Volunteer Days, a week-long program that provided more than 56 volunteering opportunities for employees globally to volunteer for chosen organizations within their communities. These range from tree-planting, financial literacy activities for students, and other engagement activities for ethnic minorities, elderlies, and various communities in need.

In addition, Manulife also launched the Move for your Community in Asia, where more than 1,700 employees from 10 markets, including colleagues from Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life and Manulife Investment Management Philippines, accomplished various step goals in five days, achieving 34 million steps in total. These recorded steps were converted to community investments, such as the 900 Peso Smart learning kits for elementary school students in the Philippines through the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation and Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation.

“Since 2017, our financial literacy program Peso Smart has been instrumental in promoting the value of basic financial skills such as saving, budgeting, and investing among young children,” Rahul added. “As Peso Smart has expanded over the years to cater to broader segments — including parents, educators, and university students — we hope we can financially empower more Filipinos to live worry-free and confidently, while securing a better future.”

Additional community investments from Move for your Community in Asia include 10,000 lunches for students in Vietnam through the Lotus Charity Foundation, 10,000 reusable box lunches for students across all campuses of the Rabbit School in Cambodia, and a public sanitation and clean water facility in Indonesia through Dompet Dhuafa.

See this video or visit https://www.manulife.com.ph/ImpactAgenda for the complete account of how Manulife develops its Impact Agenda in the Philippines. Visit Manulife’s website at https://manulife.com.ph for additional details.

*Source: Manulife ESG Report 2022