A reminder to the New Generation
PALO, Leyte — This year 80th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings, a significant event in World War II history, will be held in a simple yet solemn commemoration.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro will lead the event as the guest speaker, representing President Marcos, whose message will be delivered via video.
The commemoration is scheduled at 8 am at the MacArthur Landing National Memorial Park in Barangay Candahug, Palo.
Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla emphasized that while this year’s celebration is a milestone, the province has chosen to keep the event low-key.
“It’s not going to be an extravagant celebration to the point where the expenses are no longer justifiable,” said Gov. Petilla. “It is not just a celebration but a commemoration. This is a forgotten war, now 80 years old, but we want to ensure that people still remember.”
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Yesterday’s Hero, Today’s Inspiration for the New Generation.”
The national park, a key historic site and tourist attraction, has undergone a P40-million renovation funded by the provincial government.
The renovation also includes the Boy Scout Monument at the government center rotunda, now transformed into an obelisk.
Among those expected to attend the commemorative program on Sunday,Oct.20, are Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyung Yu, Japanese Ambassador Enzo Kazuya, and United States Embassy Charge d’Affaires Robert Ewing. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco is also expected to deliver a solidarity message.
Leyte province tourism consultant and executive committee member for the Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration, Antonio Cinco, confirmed that the rehabilitation of the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park has been completed.
One of the event’s highlights will be a 20-minute reenactment of the Allied Forces’ arrival in Leyte, led by General Douglas MacArthur. About 100 local artists will participate in the reenactment, the first of its kind since the 50th anniversary in 1994.
Cinco also noted that only 14 war veterans remain alive, four of whom will attend the event: Gervacio Apostol (103) from Burauen, Priscila Ayllon (102) from Guiuan, Josefa Festejo (100) from Palompon, and Teofilo Nuevo (101) from Ormoc City.
It was on October 20, 1944, when General MacArthur, together with President Sergio Osmeña and General Carlos P. Romulo, set foot again on Philippine soil, following their retreat from Corregidor in 1942.
Their return ignited the Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought across 100,000 square miles of sea from October 23 to 25, 1944, during the Allied forces’ invasion of Leyte.
This battle marked the fulfillment of MacArthur’s famous words, “I shall return,” as he rallied support from the Allied forces to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation.
ROEL T. AMAZONA
