|
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim announced that the City of
Manila will observe with solemnity the 63rd Anniversary of the
Battle for Manila, formerly known as the “Liberation” of
Manila.” The theme will be “Kagitingan at Kalayaan”
(“Courage and Freedom”).
The National Historical Institute
formally changed the name from “Liberation of Manila” to
“Battle for Manila.”
The guest speaker for the
occasion will be Defense Secretary Gilbert Cojuangco Teodoro, who
was 20 years old after the battle. Lawyer Diosdado Guytingco, who
fought during the battle, will speak in behalf of the survivors.
The formal commemoration will
take place at the Freedom Triangle of the Manila City Hall, between
Taft Ave. and A.J. Villegas St. (Arroceros) on Sunday, February 3 at
8 a.m.
The ceremony will include raising
the Philippine flag at half-mast, calling for a minute of silence, a
gun salute, floral offerings and the playing of “Awit ng Maynila,”
the City’s traditional official song in honor of the 100,000
non-combatants of Manila who perished during the month-long battle
in February 1945, that involved thousands of Filipino guerrillas,
and American and Japanese soldiers.
After the memorial, Mayor Lim
will open “Kagitingan at Kalayaan,” an exhibition of poignant
photos of a devastated “Pearl of the Orient.” Manila was the
most destroyed city of the Pacific War theater. The exhibit will be
held at the Bulwagang Rodriguez, on the second floor of Manila City
Hall. It is sponsored by the Manila Historical and Heritage
Commission in cooperation with the Museo ng Maynila.
The Diplomatic Corps has been
invited to the solemn rites, with ambassadors of the USA, Australia,
Canada, France, Mexico and other members of the Allied Powers
expected to attend. The Japanese ambassador has also been invited as
well as representatives of the Philippine Veteran Associations,
local government officials and students of Manila schools.
|
