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| (Pictures were taken before the typhoon Haiyan) |
The monument that marks the spot where General Douglas MacArthur landed with the American Liberation Forces in 1944. This was declared a national historical landmark in 2004. True to his famous promise "I Shall Return", he did come back to redeem the Philippines from Japanese.
In his speech he declared, “I came through and I shall return”. He was ordered to change it to “We Shall Return”, but he never did. On October 20, 1944, he fulfilled that promise and waded ashore Leyte, saying, “I have returned”. A landing memorial was built in Palo, Leyte, though his actual landing happened in Dulag Beach, Leyte.
His return, however, did not stop the Japanese from taking over the Philippines, resulting to the four-day Battle of Leyte Gulf, the biggest naval battle in history.
You might think that this larger-than-life monuments are situated on the shore of Red Beach, Palo, Leyte, but it’s not. What you’ve seen in most of the pictures posted are just camera tricks making it look like it’s actually on the shore. It stands in a man-made pool at the center of the park.
“This landing memorial was built as a tribute to the American fighting men who crossed the vast pacific to fulfill the promise to return. For those Filipinos who, even as they kept on fighting the enemy, never wavered in their faith that their waiting will not be in vain…Let it be a renewal of the Filipino people’s bond of friendship with the people of the United States of America and re-affirmation of our nation’s commitment to freedom, liberty and peace.”
I was so excited to show to my friends the General Douglas MacArthur Landing Memorial Park, but was disappointed when we arrived. There are cigarette butts & candy wrappers in the water, making it difficult to decide to go in. That, however, did not stop us from going down the water just to take pictures.
Make sure you wear slippers when you visit this place, so you can get the best spot for pictures. There are "Boots for Rent" for Php50.00 if you don't want your feet to get wet.
Make sure you wear slippers when you visit this place, so you can get the best spot for pictures. There are "Boots for Rent" for Php50.00 if you don't want your feet to get wet.
- From downtown, take a tricycle going to the jeepney terminal bound for Campitic, Palo, Leyte.
- Ask the driver to drop you off at the landing park or the nearest drop-off going to the park. You know you are almost there when you see the Boy Scout monument along the road.
My first three months in the Philippines, I lived about 4 kilometers from this monument. It was a semi-regular spot to visit, buy buko juice from one of the many vendors and just sit and remind myself that America once held to a standard of honor.
ReplyDeleteMany Americans still do...but as a nation, our friendship is now transactional. "Do what's right" has been replaced by "what's in this for me?"
I'd just rather be here. I came to the Philippines to die here. I've lived longer than expected, but that much hasn't changed.