TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) — As the Province of Leyte prepares for the 79th Leyte Gulf Landings Commemoration on October 20, the members of the Executive and Technical Working Group (TWG) committees converged in a meeting on October 9 at the new Leyte Provincial Government Complex in Palo, Leyte.
Highlights of the gathering include the discussion on invited guests and foreign dignitaries attending as well as major updates from the committees.
Mayor Remedios L. Petilla has expressed the readiness of Palo, being the host municipality of the upcoming significant event.
“Actually, the municipality of Palo prepared its schedule of activities for the Liberation or Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration. We already submitted our activities starting October 15 up to the 28th, Petilla said.
Some of the activities include the ‘Weekends in the Park’ every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the whole month of October at the 2nd floor of the viewing deck, MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, where families and friends could dine in at the coffee shops and restaurants with a band show as talented local artists serenade the guests with soulful melodies of Tagalog and Visayan songs for them to relax and chill. It is open from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Other commemorative activities include the Kauswagan Challenge, a mountain bike and Road Bike Race.
Its purpose is not only to promote outdoor sports but also the cultural heritage by looking into the history, taking the events to the World War II trails and landmarks as part of the race routes and challenges.
October 16 will be the grand opening at the Palo Pag-Ibig Plaza where spectators and attendees enjoyed the fun and various cultural performances and recollections from the past.
In addition, to revive the memories of the Manila Central Post, the History and Culture Philatelic Exhibition (HISCUPEX 2023) will be held from October 16 to 22 at the viewdeck, MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park.
The exhibit will bring us back to memory lane and rekindle history and culture through stamps.
An added attraction to the celebration is a Sentimental Journey to Guiuan Eastern Samar with the active participation of Leyte and Samar Veterans, the Kite Flying Competition (Individual and Family Category), the Seniors Night at Palo Pag-Ibig Plaza to give homage to the elderly.
On October 18, a commemorative thanksgiving mass will take place at the St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Barangay Telegrafo, Tolosa, Leyte followed by wreath-laying ceremony at the Abello Marker to commemorate the heroic acts of scouts Valeriano I. Abello and his comrades Antero Junia Sr., and Vicente Tiston in saving thousands of lives during the World War II through Semaphore flag signaling.
In the evening, a liberation dance competition will highlight the traditional dances of the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Meanwhile, on October 19, the local government unit of Dulag will conduct its commemoration at the historic Hill 120 in Barangay San Rafae.
It will highlight the Dulag Landings and hoisting of the First American Flag on Philippine soil since the fall of Bataan.
In the evening, an elegant dinner coupled with cultural performances for veterans and diplomats will be held at the municipal hall of Palo. The event honors and respects the veterans and diplomatic corps of World War II.
On October 20, the day of the liberation, as early as 4:30 a.m., a sunrise ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial Monument – a tradition which will be spearheaded by the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) and Sons and Daughters Association Inc. (SDAI).
This is in remembrance of our fallen brothers in-arms whose names are etched in the memorial stone of the monument.
The commemoration will be highlighted with the commemorative ceremonies such as the raising of the flags of the Philippines and the member-countries of the allied forces and offering the wreath.
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla will lead the commemorative rites on October 20.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyung Yu and other foreign dignitaries from Japan, US and other allied countries are expected to attend the commemorative rites.
Assistant Secretary Restituto Aguilar of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) is invited as the guest of honor in this year’s commemoration.
This year’s Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration banners the theme, “Pagpupugay sa Kagitingan at Kabayanihan ng Beteranong Pilipino” (Salute to the Valor and Heroism of Filipino Veterans). (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)
