The Oriental Hotels and Resorts, in cooperation with the Municipality of Mariveles, recently held a commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of the Bataan Death March during World War 2 at the Km 0 Park.
The infamous Death March began in Mariveles on April 10, 1942 after the surrender of over 70,000 Filipino and American troops to the Japanese Imperial Army a day earlier in Balanga, the capital town of Bataan.
The surrendered marched to San Fernando, Pampanga, then were loaded onto box cars en route to the train station in Capas, Tarlac, and were forced to march again to Camp O’Donnell where they were imprisoned until their liberation in 1945.
According to The Oriental chief executive officer Rebecca Marie Abigail Lee, the initiative is part of the hotel chain’s corporate social responsibility in promoting the rich historical and cultural heritage of the communities where they operate.
She said the hotel group aims to take part in similar events in areas where they are located to help rekindle people’s appreciation of the Filipino soul.
The hospitality arm of the LKY Group of Companies, the home-grown hotel brand has luxe properties at the Freeport Area of Bataan, Legazpi City, Palo (Leyte), Tagaytay, and soon, Alaminos City in Pangasinan. It recently introduced Proxy Hotel, a sub-brand of the hotel chain to cater to the millennial and hip tourist market.
