Freedom Trail is an annual event organized by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), in partnership with the Department of National Defense, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), and the Provincial Governments of Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac. The event honors the sacrifice and bravery of Filipino and American World War II heroes and survivors. Participants trail the 160 kilometer route that spans three provinces for 42 hours.

Veterans Bank’s Freedom Trail traces the actual route of the Bataan Death March from KM Zero Mariveles in Bataan, to San Fernando Pampanga, up to Capas in Tarlac. The Freedom Trail kicks off the 77th year commemoration of the Bataan Death March.

“This event is meant to highlight Filipino heroism,” said PVB Chairman Roberto F. De Ocampo. He noted that these annual events are part of the Bank’s core values to ensure that Filipino and American veterans are constantly remembered for their sacrifice and heroism during the Death March when they were forced into a deadly 112-kilometer march from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga as they were transferred to prison camps in Capas, Tarlac.”

This 2019, the third  Freedom Trail  (Mariveles-San-Fernando-Capas), over 1,000 marchers from the  US Navy SEALs together with hundreds of our country’s armed forces, police and civilian volunteers, paid tribute to our World War II heroes in a 160 kilometers ‘Freedom Trail’ from KM Zero in Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.

This year’s commemoration activities also includes “Ride for Valor,” a competitive bike tour held on March 10 from Kilometer Zero in Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.  Another activity is the 6th Bataan Freedom Run held on April 14, 2019, involved over 1,000 participants composed of running enthusiasts, adults, and children alike.  The Freedom Run followed the route of the historic march as well as the road leading to the peak of Mt. Samat. The event consisted of a 42K full marathon, a 21K half marathon, as well as a 10K, 5K, and 1K run for kids and pets.

This year’s event raised more than P400,000 in funds allocated for the restoration of historical markers on the battle of Bataan.