🇺🇸 “I Have Returned”: A Promise Fulfilled
Standing tall in Palo, Leyte, the General Douglas MacArthur Landing Memorial Park commemorates one of the most iconic moments in Philippine history. On October 20, 1944, MacArthur fulfilled his legendary promise:
“I came through, and I shall return.”
Although the U.S. military had advised him to change his words to “We shall return,” MacArthur stood firm. When he landed on the shores of Leyte, he famously declared,
“I have returned.”
This bold return marked the beginning of the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation during World War II.
🗺️ Historical Insight: Did You Know?
- 📍 The monument is in Red Beach, Palo, but MacArthur’s actual landing occurred at Dulag Beach, Leyte.
- 🛟 The park was declared a National Historical Landmark in 2004.
- ⚓ His return sparked the Battle of Leyte Gulf—the largest naval battle in history, lasting four days.
🧍 The Memorial You See Today
The monument features larger-than-life bronze statues of General MacArthur and his entourage wading ashore. While many believe the statues stand on the beach, they’re actually placed in a man-made reflecting pool in the center of the park.
📸 Most photos online cleverly use angles to make it look like the statues are right on the shoreline.
📝 Former President Ferdinand Marcos wrote on the monument’s plaque:
“This landing memorial was built as a tribute to the American fighting men who crossed the vast Pacific to fulfill the promise to return... a reaffirmation of our nation’s commitment to freedom, liberty, and peace.”
😕 My Honest Experience
I was genuinely excited to show this place to my friends. But when we arrived, we were disappointed to find cigarette butts and candy wrappers floating in the water. Still, we couldn’t resist stepping in for photos — that historical significance is hard to ignore.
👣 Visitor Tips
- 🩴 Wear slippers or waterproof sandals — it makes wading into the water easier.
- 🥾 Don’t want to get wet? You can rent boots on-site for ₱50.00.
- 🚮 Please help keep the area clean — the site deserves respect.
- 📷 Visit early or late afternoon for the best photos (and cooler weather).
🛺 How to Get to MacArthur Landing Memorial Park from Downtown Tacloban
- Take a tricycle to the Campetic–Palo jeepney terminal.
- Ride a jeepney bound for Palo, Leyte.
- Ask
to be dropped off at the MacArthur Landing Park or at the nearest
drop-off point.
🗿 You’ll know you’re close when you pass the Boy Scout Monument on the roadside.
⏱️ Travel Time: ~30–40 minutes depending on traffic
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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.