CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – To honor the “Liberator of the Philippines” and pay tribute to those who offered their lives so the future generation can reap the fruits of freedom and democracy, the Historical and Cultural Commission (HisCom) of Cagayan de Oro held the 75th Diamond Jubilee of Gen Douglas MacArthur’s breakout from Corregidor to Australia on March 13.
During the launching program, City Mayor Oscar Moreno together with the representatives of Norfolk Sister City Association, General Douglas MacArthur Foundation and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines visited and led the floral offering at the MacArthur Marker.
In his message, Moreno expressed his gratitude, admiration and respect to the Americans who aided in freeing the country and its people during the World War II in 1942.
For their part, the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation congratulated the city and organizers for coming up the 75th diamond jubilee commemoration.
“This commemoration is the finest possible program to thank and honor those who served both our nations during the dark days of World War II. It is essential that our future generations will always remember the service of those patriots throughout the United States and the Philippines especially those coming from Cagayan de Oro and Manolo Fortich,” Dr. Juan Montero II said as he read the message of Henry Harris, chairman of the foundation.
The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office also sent their felicitations through Brig. Gen. Restituto Aguilar saying that holding such activity helps them in instilling into the minds of the citizens the importance of maintaining the military shrines of the country and publication of books as well as production of films that are relevant to the Philippine military history.
The HisCom also staged a reenactment of the arrival od General Douglas MacArthur and party at Macabalan Port, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental on March 13, 1942.
Meanwhile, in the reenactment of General MacArthur’s convoy at MacArthur Memorial Landmark in Barangay Dicklum, Bukidnon, Mayor Clive D. Quiño said that the celebration is a start of significance since Dicklum is the last place where General Douglas MacArthur, his family and key staff members took off on their historic flight to Australia before the fall of Bataan and Corregidor by B-17 on March 17, 1942.
He added that it paved the way for the general to “fulfill his promise to liberate the country and people” from the Japanese garrison.
The celebration entails a lot of lined-up activities on March 13-17 including the free movie screening of World War II Documentary, launching of the Gen. Douglas MacArthur photo exhibit and the Cagayan de Oro MacArthur Memorial Foundation Study Center and Mindanao Guerillas Memorial Exhibit, and more.
HisCom enriches history of liberation
