Pres. Duterte invited to the commemorative program
By: ROEL T.AMAZONA
PALO, Leyte – Activities for the 75th Leyte Landings Commemoration this October 20 are now set.
This was disclosed by the organizing committee lead by Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and former Palo town mayor Remedios Petilla who chairs different committees tasked in this year’s 75th year anniversary which is considered a milestone event.
Activities for the 75th Leyte Landings Commemoration will run from October 10 to 27.
Lined-up activities includes the exhibit of the national costume used by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray during the said international beauty pageant at Oriental Hotel from October 10-24 and the first Leyte Landings 4×4 off road challenge at Boy Scout Circle, Government Center on October 12-13.
On October 13, the provincial government will lead in the inauguration and lighting of newly-rehabilitated McArthur Land Memorial National Park at Barangay Candahug, this town.
Also happening on October 13 is the Vintage Car World War II vehicle show and exhibit at the Boy Scout Circle, Government Center that will run until October 25.
On October 15, the 75th Leyte Landing Choral Competition along with the “Pagbabalik” Hiphop Competition will be held at the Boy Scout Circle, Government Center.
On October 16 to 22 is the opening and exhibit showcasing the 75th Leyte Landing Agri, Aqua Trade, Science and Technology Fair at the Boy Scout Circle, Government Center.
A dance sport competition and the 75th Leyte Landing Speech Choir Competition is going to be held on the same day at the same venue.
On October 17, the Sentimental Journey will be commemorated in Guiuan, Eastern Samar which will be participated by World War II veterans, personnel from the Armed Force of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the local government unit of Guiuan.
The Sentimental Journey is to be held at the Navy 3149 Base in Barangay Ngolos which remembers the Battle of Suluan, an island barangay in Guiuan, as a prelude to the Leyte Gulf Landings.
On October 17, the search for Miss Liberation Diamond is to be held also at the Boy Scout Circle, Government Center.
Also happening on same day is the National Conference on the 75th Anniversary of Leyte Gulf Landings at the Leyte Normal University that will last until October 19.
On October 18 is the Tolosa Signal Day Commemorative Event which commemorates the heroic acts of scouts Valeriano Abello, Antero Junia Sr. and Vicente Tiston who signals the Allied Forces from the hilltops of Barangay Telegrafo using the semaphore signs not to bomb the shorelines because thousands of local residents inhabited the area.
Also happening on that day is the 11th Oktubafest Competition organized by the An Waray party-list at the Leyte Academic Center.
At the Boy Scout Circle, activities are the Executive Band Boy show, a Fashion show and the War of Our Fathers” a tribute to Filipino Freedom Exhibit which will run until October 27.
On October 19, the province will celebrate the Hill 120 Commemorative Event in Dulag town which remembers the first hoisting of American Flag in Philippine soil after it was lowered in Bataan in 1942.
On October 19, various activities were lined-up by the provincial government starting with Live Free Festival at the Leyte Academic Center, Palo Commemorative Event Barrio Fiesta at the Palo Municipal Hall and the grand finals for the Pagbabalik Hiphop Competition at the Boy Scout Circle.
On October 20, program for the Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration will start with the “Sunrise Ceremony of the Filipino WWII Veterans at the Unknown Soldier Monument at 4 am and will be followed by the 75th National Commemoration Ceremonies at the McArthur Land Memorial National Park at 8 am.
Other activities on the 20th are the Subiran Regatta which will start at the Oriental Hotel, the reunion of the Veterans at the Department of Education-Leyte Gymnasium, the commemorative luncheon and awarding and recognition of the 10 oldest living Filipino veterans.
A fireworks display at the McArthur Land Memorial National Park in the evening will serve as the culmination of the day’s activities.
Governor Petilla said that President Rodrigo Duterte was invited by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the lead agency for this year celebration, but his presence at the celebration is not yet confirmed.
Also invited to the 75th Leyte Landings Commemoration are NHCP chairman Rene Escalante, United States Ambassador Sung Yong Kim, Australian Ambassador Steven James Robinson, Ambassador of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Daniel Robert Pruce, New Zealand Ambassador David John Strachan, Ambassador of Japan Koji Haneda, and Ambassador of Canada John Thomas Holmes.
“Just to remind everyone, this is not that just the provincial government commemoration of World War II but for everybody. This is ours commemoration, this is every body’s activity. Your participation in all activities or by watching our activities is already a big contribution,” Gov. Petilla said.
“This is not just simple commemoration or ceremony, but we are here to learn a lesson from the valor of our heroes, the example that our heroes are very important. As we face more challenges, we need to learn the lesson for us to overcome all this challenges,” Gov Petilla added.
“I hope this celebration will be fruitful, educational and memorable especially for our veterans and their families who will join in the activities,” the governor said. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
