‘Along with the Bataan Legacy Historical Society and the Descendants of Hunters ROTC Guerrillas Inc., we keep in mind the lessons of the Global Anti-Fascist War.’
AT the conclusion of this year’s National Heritage Month, we are stoked to share some of the super sites in Rizal’s homeland: the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (completed in 1934 in time for the country’s hosting of the 10th Far Eastern Games), which is significant for its Art Deco style of architecture, is not only an Important Cultural Property (as identified by the National Museum in 2016) but also a National Historical Landmark. [National Historical Commission of the Philippines Board Resolution No. 5, c. 2017]
- The site of the old Lazareto de Mariveles (Mariveles Quarantine Station), now the Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital in Bataan, which had a notable reputation in the field of maritime-quarantine work as the “modern and best equipped in the Orient” and had played a crucial role in the realm of public health and sanitation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is a National Historical Landmark. [NHCP Board Resolution No. 13, c. 2023]
- The Casa dela Fuente (aka Bahay Na Malaki) on 266 Barangay Caingin, Municipality of San Rafael, Province of Bulacan, which is a representative of the unique architectural style called arquitectura mestiza, is a Heritage House. [NHCP Board Resolution No. 7, c. 2022]
- Acuario de Manila (renamed Acuario de Real in 2004), which was an aquarium with 27 exhibition tanks, managed by the Bureau of Science in 1913, is counted as one of the must-see spots in Intramuros. [NHCP, https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=882781617227349&set=pcb.882782037227307]
The National Heritage Month is concluding as the 2024 National Flag Days is beginning, with the NHCP Museo nina Marcela Mariño at Felipe Agoncillo leading the commemoration last 28 May 2024. Malacañang Palace, Senate of the Philippines Building, Congress of the Philippines building, Supreme Court building, Rizal Monument in Luneta, (Manila), Bonifacio Monument in Kalookan City, Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit (Cavite), Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in Malolos (Bulacan), Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmark in Taal (Batangas), Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in the North Cemetery, and all International Ports of Entry are the sites where the National Flag shall be permanently hoisted, day and night, throughout the year. [Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 8491] Plus the Old Legislative Building in Manila, Angeles Heritage District in Pampanga, Battle of Alapan Monument in Imus City (Cavite), Santa Barbara Victory Plaza in lloilo, Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City (Cebu), Fort Santiago in Intramuros, and Mt. Samat National Shrine (Dambana ng Kagitingan) in Bataan, as designated by the NHCP. [NHCP Board Resolution No. 8, c. 2022]
Thus, as we transit to June, let us hype this Heritage Month by citing key passages from Felipe Agoncillo’s memorial to the United States Senate: “I must be understood as protesting as the representative of the independent Philippine Republic that the United States has no jurisdiction, natural or acquired, through any of its agencies to adjudicate in any manner upon the rights of my country and people.”
“It must be evident to your Honorable Body that an extensive revolution existed in the Philippine Islands at the time of the declaration of war by America against Spain…The purpose of the Filipino patriots in conducting this revolution was to secure the complete independence of their country, and in this effort, they received the encouragement of the United States; and were never informed that the attainment and preservation of such independence would be regarded as a hostile act by America and they never believed that their struggle in such a cause would lead to enormous aggregation of American armies and navies at their doors.” [Presented to the U.S. Secretary of State, January 30, 1899]
Today, there is still an aggregation of American forces in parts of the Rizalian Archipelago, given that the United States is a major trade partner and defense ally. In fact, more than 16,000 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military trained together in the 39th iteration of Balikatan, the largest annual bilateral training exercise between the two Allies, from April 22 to May 10. [https://ph.usembassy.gov/philippine-u-s-troops-to-kick-off-exercise-balikatan-2024/] Unfortunately, there is also an aggregation of ChiCom assets in Philippine waters and localities like Bamban in Tarlac. [China’s sends ‘monster’ ship to patrol PH EEZ, ANC 24/7, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zKn1grmHio] In this regard, the United Nations-sponsored World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21) should have been a venue for discourse: “With 89% of all current conflicts in the world occurring in countries with low intercultural dialogue, to forge effective cooperation and sustain peace, strengthening intercultural dialogue must be a priority.” [https://www.un.org/en/observances/cultural-diversity-day]
While the nightmare scenarios of World War 3 play out in flashpoints like the South China Sea, the Naval History and Heritage Command – Underwater Archaeological Branch of the United States Navy confirmed 23 May 2024 the discovery of the wreck site of the USS Harder using data collected by Tim Taylor and the Lost 52 Project with the assistance of the National Museum of the Philippines’ Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The USS Harder (SS-257, a Gato-class, diesel-electric submarine) was on her sixth and final war patrol assigned to the West Philippine Sea off Luzon when she was sunk by depth charges from a Japanese escort vessel CD-2223 in late August of 1944. [https://www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofthephilippines]
And this brings us to the U.S. Memorial Day Ceremony held 26 May 2024 at the Manila American Cemetery in Taguig City, which contains the largest number of graves of American military dead of World War II, “a total of 16,859, most of whom lost their lives in operations in New Guinea and the Philippines.” [https://www.abmc.gov/Manila] It was a somber occasion, especially when we recall the experience of a prisoner-of-war 80 years ago: “Memorial day and the Japanese have allowed a few hundred to hold services at the cemetery…With conditions as they are now, there will be no one here to hold memorial services for us next year…There is no doubt that vital organs of the body are being heavily taxed and if we survive the duration of the present imprisonment, we will probably keel over in 5 to 15 years…The Japs jeer at us, beat us, scorn us, disgrace us and starve us all in the eyes of our once friendly Ally the Filipinos…” [Diary of Philip H. Meier, May 30, 1944; https://philippinediaryproject.com/1944/05/30/may-301944/]
Along with the Bataan Legacy Historical Society and the Descendants of Hunters ROTC Guerrillas Inc., we keep in mind the lessons of the Global Anti-Fascist War.
