Ifugao is synonymous with the Rice Terraces, one of the country’s pioneer tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spread over the towns of Banaue, Mayoyao, Hungduan, and Kiangan, the rice terraces are an ancient engineering feat and the cradle of Cordillera culture and history.

But beyond these iconic wonders, this charming province has been a mute witness to the last months of the Second World War in the Philippines almost 80 years ago.

To highlight its vital role in history, the Province of Ifugao and the Municipality of Kiangan recently held the 79th Victory Day, a commemorative event to observe the Surrender of Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita which ended the Second World War in the archipelago.

Themed “Inspiring Generations: Preserving the Sacrifices and Triumphs of our Heroes”, the two-day observance was held at the Kiangan National Shrine, a PVAO military memorial that marks the spot where Yamashita surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945 after successive defeats of the Imperial Japanese Army in the North Luzon and Cordillera regions in the hands of Filipino guerillas, US troops and Ifugao bolo men. 

Known as “Tiger of Malaya”, Yamashita formally signed the instruments of surrender on Sept. 3 at Camp John Hay in Baguio City where he was flown by the Allied Forces.

The Victory Day commemorative program was highlighted by the traditional military honors, a 21-gun salute to the war dead, and a socio-civic and cultural program that featured dancers from the Ifugao Intangible Heritage Performing Arts Society.

Other activities include flower and candle offerings at the Peace Museum, a historical forum on Ifugao heritage, a veterans forum and medical mission and reception evening for veterans and Ifugao generals in active service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Victory Day is also supported by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, and the Philippine Veterans Bank which brought in World War 2 historical reenactors as part of its corporate social responsibility in keeping the heroism of veterans alive.

According to Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog, the event is both a celebration of the uncommon valor of our forebears and a continuing quest for lasting peace among nations.

He added that the province will prepare for a bigger and grander observance next year, with more diverse activities, including a possible production of a historical video documentary for the event’s 80th anniversary.

The old provincial capital of Ifugao, Kiangan is home to the Nagacadan Open Air Museum which is included in the country’s rice terraces inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage List. 

Another significant World War 2 is Mt. Nagchajan in Mayoyao where the last major battle took place from July 25 to August 7 when Japanese forces were defeated by the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-North Luzon (USAFIP-NL). Also known as the Battle of Mayoyao Ridge, the victory is remembered locally as Lenong Ad Majawjaw or Peace Festival on Aug. 8-9.

Other towns that figured in the war’s closing chapter are Hungduan whose mountains became Japanese holdouts, and Banaue and Lagawe where prisoners of war were processed.

To popularize this World War 2 trail, the Department of Tourism Cordillera Administrative Regional Office has run two heritage caravans across the highland towns which are included in the historical narrative.