BAGUIO CITY – A photo exhibit at the University of the Cordilleras (UC) theater, Saturday, August 2, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, paved the way for sharings of little-known local facts during the war.
The event also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the national Fil-Chinese Amity Club and 30th anniversary of the Fil-Chinese Amity Club of Baguio, thus essential materials such as school supplies, food packs, wheelchair, home kits for the visually impaired, medical equipment, a motorcycle to the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) were donated as community needs.
The exhibit was graced by Benguet governor Melchor Diclas, UC’s Ray Dean Salvosa, Councilors Leandro Yangot, Van Oliver Dicang, Paolo Salvosa, Fred Bagbagen and John Rhey Mananeng, former councilor Art Allad-iw, Benguet State University president Kenneth Laruan, Department of Education (Dep-Ed) Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Dr. Soraya Faculo, Fil-Chinese Amity Club members, Fernando Tiong, Peter Ng, Jose Tajan, Mariano Chua and others, and keynote speaker Muller Bato II, all who participated in the ribbon cutting.
Also present were City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Liza Bulayungan, City Tourism and Special Events Office (CTSEO) head Engr. Aloysius Mapalo, Former City Administrator Carlos Canilao, Veterans Bank Manager Jacqueline Emman, BCPO head Col. Ruel Tagel, and representatives of civic-socio organizations and other agencies.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s message during the event was delivered by Executive Assistant Engr. Leandro Tabilog.
Muller Bato II, an Ibaloy from Virac, Itogon, a grandson of WW II veteran Howard Bato, and the keynote speaker of the event, gave a captivating presentation of war events, from reliable sources, documents and a private collection.
Bato II, a licensed teacher; an outstanding student of CAR in 2009; a member of the Philippine National Historical Society and the archivist of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines North Luzon Chapter (USAFIP-NL) here in Baguio City presented the following:
• The Camp John Hay bombing on Dec. 8, 1941 with short narrations from the late WW II Veteran Santiago Pitas from Tuba, Veteran Robert Bellasi of La Trinidad, Benguet and Veteran Francisco Paraan of Baguio City.
• The ferrying of cadets from Baguio to be enlisted as soldiers, by Dangwa Tranco Company (DTC) buses as authorized by then manager, later Benguet Governor, the late Bado Dangwa. The cadets were serviced by 236 drivers, conductors and helpers some who perished from airborne enemy fire, even before reaching their destination.
• Money bills were printed in Sagada and Bontoc, Mt. Province in 1942, using bond and manila paper to augment dwindling currency as only St. Mary’s, Sagada had printing paraphernalia that time.
• The first Filipino-led guerilla unit in the Baguio-Benguet area is the 11th Infantry, commanded by Lt. Rufino Baldwin from Kalinga. The recruitment and induction was in Aug. 1942 with headquarters in Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet.
• The 12th Infantry, the second guerilla unit was jointly commanded by then Lt. Dennis Molintas, a school head and Lt. Bado Dangwa, a bus company manager; recruitment done in Sept. 1942 with headquarters at Karao, Bokod, Benguet.
• The 43rd battalion, Philippine Scouts composed of remnants of American and Filipino soldiers stationed at Camp John Hay was commanded by Capt. Parker Calvert, with headquarters in Kapangan. It was reorganized in Jan. 1943.
• With another reorganization, the 11th, 12th and 43rd battalion metamorphosed into the 66th infantry battalion, commanded by Calvert. Chinese and Chinese-Filipino from the Baguio-Benguet area were members of the guerilla group.
• Esperanza Osmena, the wife of then President Sergio Osmena, and family was rescued by members of the 66th infantry on October 1944. Then General Manuel Roxas and family were also rescued from enemy custody in April 1945 by the same infantry.
• The battles of Bessang Pass; Lepanto, Mankayan and the liberation of Baguio City, La Trinidad, other areas and the province of Benguet.
• The signing of surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, in Baguio City, on Sept. 3, 1945.
• The honoring of the only remaining WWII veteran 98-year old Ernesto Luis.
Though the photo exhibit featured the atrocities of WWII, all those present advocated peace between and among the descendants of the victims and invaders and the community. **jgfianza, with information from MHB II
