By Restituto Cayubit
TACLOBAN CITY - The country celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings on October 20, the Leyte Provincial Government has announced Saturday.
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla (RESTITUTO CAYUBIT / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, in an interview with The Manila Bulletin, said that all systems are go for the commemoration, saying that “all the preparations for tomorrow are in place, including all the venues and the activities being highlighted for this year’s celebration.”
The 75th Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary has the theme: “Keeping Alive the Valor of the Heroes of World War II.” Petilla explained that this was to honor the veterans for their bravery and courage, when they fought for freedom and peace against the Japanese invaders 75 years ago.
Petilla said that the venue of the commemoration will be at the McArthur Landing Memorial National Park, named after the legendary American general. It is located in Palo town, which is the landing site upon the arrival of the Allied forces led by McArthur, in Leyte, last October 20, 1944. The Park was declared as a national park through Letter of Instructions No. 572 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos on July 12, 1977.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will be the guest of honor and speaker for the event.
Historians consider the victory of the Allied Forces against the Japanese Forces in the Battle of Leyte Gulf as the greatest naval battle in history, and proved to be the turning point of the Pacific war.
History records indicate that the Allied forces had more than 300,000 troops, 211 warships, including 16 carriers and 12 battle ships and 1,300 warplanes.
On the other hand, the Japanese Imperial Forces, led by Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, had 300 aircraft, 85,000 troops and 68 warships.
The victorious Leyte Gulf landings was the fulfillment of MacArthur’s promise of “I shall return” for the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese invaders.
Petilla said that the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) invited guests for the 75th Leyte Landings Commemoration that included NHCP chairman Rene Escalante, United States Ambassador Sung Yong Kim, Ambassador of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Daniel Robert Pruce, New Zealand Ambassador David John Strachan, Australian Ambassador Steven James Robinson, Ambassador of Japan Koji Haneda, and Ambassador of Canada John Thomas Holmes.
Petilla said the activities will start with the “Sunrise Ceremony of the Filipino WWII Veterans at the Unknown Soldier Monument at 4 am and will be followed by the program proper for the 75th National Commemoration Ceremonies at 8 o’clock in the morning at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park.
On the same day, other activities will be a commemorative luncheon, awarding and recognition of the 10 oldest living Filipino veterans, the reunion of the Veterans at the Department of Education-Leyte Gymnasium, and the Subiran Regatta which will start at the Oriental Hotel adjacent to the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park.
In the evening, there will be a fireworks display at the McArthur Landing Memorial National Park which will serve as the culmination of the event.
Petilla is encouraging the public to participate in this year’s activities. “Just to remind everyone, this is not that just the provincial government commemoration of World War II but for everybody. This is our commemoration, this is everybody’s activity. Your participation in all activities or by watching our activities is already a big contribution,” Petilla said.
“This is not just simple commemoration or ceremony, but we are here to learn a lesson from the valor of our heroes, the example that our heroes are very important. As we face more challenges, we need to learn the lesson for us to overcome all these challenges,” Petilla added.
“I hope this celebration will be fruitful, educational and memorable especially for our veterans and their families who will join in the activities,” the governor said.
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla (RESTITUTO CAYUBIT / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, in an interview with The Manila Bulletin, said that all systems are go for the commemoration, saying that “all the preparations for tomorrow are in place, including all the venues and the activities being highlighted for this year’s celebration.”
The 75th Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary has the theme: “Keeping Alive the Valor of the Heroes of World War II.” Petilla explained that this was to honor the veterans for their bravery and courage, when they fought for freedom and peace against the Japanese invaders 75 years ago.
Petilla said that the venue of the commemoration will be at the McArthur Landing Memorial National Park, named after the legendary American general. It is located in Palo town, which is the landing site upon the arrival of the Allied forces led by McArthur, in Leyte, last October 20, 1944. The Park was declared as a national park through Letter of Instructions No. 572 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos on July 12, 1977.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will be the guest of honor and speaker for the event.
Historians consider the victory of the Allied Forces against the Japanese Forces in the Battle of Leyte Gulf as the greatest naval battle in history, and proved to be the turning point of the Pacific war.
History records indicate that the Allied forces had more than 300,000 troops, 211 warships, including 16 carriers and 12 battle ships and 1,300 warplanes.
On the other hand, the Japanese Imperial Forces, led by Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, had 300 aircraft, 85,000 troops and 68 warships.
The victorious Leyte Gulf landings was the fulfillment of MacArthur’s promise of “I shall return” for the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese invaders.
Petilla said that the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) invited guests for the 75th Leyte Landings Commemoration that included NHCP chairman Rene Escalante, United States Ambassador Sung Yong Kim, Ambassador of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Daniel Robert Pruce, New Zealand Ambassador David John Strachan, Australian Ambassador Steven James Robinson, Ambassador of Japan Koji Haneda, and Ambassador of Canada John Thomas Holmes.
Petilla said the activities will start with the “Sunrise Ceremony of the Filipino WWII Veterans at the Unknown Soldier Monument at 4 am and will be followed by the program proper for the 75th National Commemoration Ceremonies at 8 o’clock in the morning at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park.
On the same day, other activities will be a commemorative luncheon, awarding and recognition of the 10 oldest living Filipino veterans, the reunion of the Veterans at the Department of Education-Leyte Gymnasium, and the Subiran Regatta which will start at the Oriental Hotel adjacent to the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park.
In the evening, there will be a fireworks display at the McArthur Landing Memorial National Park which will serve as the culmination of the event.
Petilla is encouraging the public to participate in this year’s activities. “Just to remind everyone, this is not that just the provincial government commemoration of World War II but for everybody. This is our commemoration, this is everybody’s activity. Your participation in all activities or by watching our activities is already a big contribution,” Petilla said.
“This is not just simple commemoration or ceremony, but we are here to learn a lesson from the valor of our heroes, the example that our heroes are very important. As we face more challenges, we need to learn the lesson for us to overcome all these challenges,” Petilla added.
“I hope this celebration will be fruitful, educational and memorable especially for our veterans and their families who will join in the activities,” the governor said.