ILOILO CITY -- The Philippine-American Cemetery in Iloilo City, which predated the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, wants to be recognized as a heritage site. The Philippine-American Cemetery Association (PACA) of Iloilo City Inc. led by its president, Nelson G. Jardeleza, reiterated this during the Memorial Day rites at the cemetery in Jaro district. “We have long dreamed that the cemetery is given due recognition,” said PACA Vice President Zinnia A. Hormillosa. “We want Ilonggos and other Filipinos to know its significance,” Hormillosa told Manila Bulletin. *Flaglets of the Philippines and the United States are seen at the Philippine-American Cemetery in Iloilo City as part of commemoration for this year’s Memorial Day.  (Tara Yap/Manila Bulletin)*
PACA tried to make a proposal to the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, but nothing developed as more historical research is needed. Captain Nelson J. Ynion, president of the American Association of Western Visayas, also previously facilitated a talk with former Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon. “This is an important place that represents our linkages to Americans and other foreigners,” Ynion told Manila Bulletin in a separate interview. There are plans to also make representations to the United States Embassy in the Philippines. The Manila American Cemetery was established in 1948 while the cemetery in Iloilo was established by enlisted American soldiers in 1908. But prior to 1908, the cemetery was for British and other foreign nationals.  One of the earliest gravestones there were those of an American sailor and a boy from Massachusetts where year 1861 was etched on them. For almost 60 years, the cemetery was under the American Cemetery Association and had support from various American corporations, missionaries, and war veterans. It was in 1975 that the organizational structure changed to become PACA and welcomed Filipino citizens.