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Leyte Landing Memorial (MacArthur Park)

The MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park (also known as the Leyte Landing Memorial Park and MacArthur Park) is a protected area of the Philippines that commemorates the historic landing of General Douglas MacArthur in Leyte Gulf at the start of the campaign to recapture and liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation on 20 October 1944. This event led to the largest naval battle of World War II (Also the world's largest naval battle in terms of gross tonnage sunk) and Japan's eventual defeat and surrender after almost three years.

Where did General Douglas MacArthur land when he returned to the Philippines to “liberate” the country from the Japanese invaders?

It’s in the Imeldific island of Leyte, where a park, formerly called the MacArthur Park, was erected to commemorate the historic day. The bronze statues tower over everyone, including the larger-than-life statues of President Sergio Osmeña and General Carlos P. Romulo, who were with the landing party of Gen. MacArthur.

The Leyte Landing Memorial commemorates the historic return of the flamboyant general, together with hundreds of thousands of men and hundreds of ships, on October 20, 1944. It was the start of the end of Japanese occupation in the Philippines. October 20 is celebrated every year, as the anniversary date of the Leyte Landing. The marker of the National Historical Institute placed at the park reads:

Leyte Landing Memorial, located at the Red Beach, Palo, Leyte. Just in case you go past the Memorial and gaze at the sea, you’ll notice that the beach brown to black — not red. The “red” in Red Beach doesn’t refer to the natural color of the sand, but its color after being drenched in blood.

The town of Palo is adjacent to, and the Memorial is a few minutes from, Tacloban City, the capital of the province of Leyte. There are no taxis in Tacloban City, so you could hire a tricycle, a ubiquitous mode of Philippine public transportation that resembles the famous German sidecar, in going to the park.

Gen. MacArthur had to leave the Philippines during the height of the Japanese attack. Upon reaching Australia, Gen. MacArthur uttered the phrase that is forever remembered by Filipinos: “I shall return“. Contrary to some misconceptions, these famous lines were uttered not when Gen. MacArthur left the Philippines, from his headquarters in Corregidor. Upon his return, General MacArthur issued a Proclamation, etched at the Leyte Landing Memorial. 

PROCLAMATION

To the People of the Philippines:

I have returned. By the grace of the Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil — soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. We have come, dedicated and committed to the task of destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring, upon a foundation of indestructible strength, the liberties of your people.

At my side is your President, Sergio Osmena, worthy successor of that great patriot Manuel Quezon, with members of his cabinet. The seat of your government is now therefore firmly re-established on Philippine soil.

The hour of your redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom that challenges the best that is written on the pages of human history. I now call upon your supreme effort that the enemy may know from the temper of an aroused and outraged people within that he has a force there to contend with no less violent than is the force committed from without.

Rally to me. Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on. As the lines of battle roll forward to bring you within the zone of operations, rise and strike. Strike at every favorable opportunity. For your homes and hearths, strike! strike! For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike! In the name of your sacred dead, strike! Let no heart be faint. Let every arm be steeled. The guidance of Divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory!

One of Tacloban City news reports – The country celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings on October 20 which the Leyte Provincial Government has announced.

Historians consider the victory of the Allied Forces against the Japanese Forces in the Battle of Leyte Gulf as the greatest naval battle in history, and proved to be the turning point of the Pacific war.

The 75th Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary has the theme: “Keeping Alive the Valor of the Heroes of World War II.” The city mayor explained that this was to honor the veterans for their bravery and courage, when they fought for freedom and peace against the Japanese invaders 75 years ago.

Photos were taken during the celebration of the 75th Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary.

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DREAMS INTO REALITY

Life without a noble aim is like a rudderless ship, but to choose a goal is quite an uphill task. Each person is different form another thus having different ambitions. Every seeing eye, thinking mind and feeling heart has one ambition or the other.

For the past years of my life, I never really had the kind of direction most people have regarding on college courses because honestly, I seem lost. Upon graduating junior high, I’ve decided to just take up the ABM strand thinking that I might find the answers I was looking and that being on the business field might be my place. Days passed and things get seems to be even harder. Maybe because I have chosen the wrong path? 

One day, I felt that I wanted to see myself sailing on the oceans and thought -- I think the sea is where my heart belongs. At that instant, I’ve decided to take BSMT for college.

 A lot of people discourages me to take up the course because of the cons but I also have people who encourages me to fight for what I dream. These are the people who believes in me, my capacity and believes that one day I will sail the ocean with a “Capt.” before my name. 

Being a Captain is the ultimate goal of each and every marine student. The journey may get rough and tough to be a Captain but the ship must still sail up until it reaches its destination. Because I believe that nothing worth having comes easy.

Along with  the my ultimate goal, I also have goals that I wanted to achieve. I want to travel the world with the person I truly love, build my dream house, become successful, have a family and most importantly, repay my parents for the things they have done for me in order to become successful. One day, I will make my parents proud of me. I will make sure that all their blood, tears and sweat will be paid off. 

I believe that how big we think, big we dream, and big we plan, that’s how big we want to achieve our goals in our life. According to Peter Drucker, “the best way to predict the future is to create it.” With that, it gives me the strength and reason to create my plans for my better future.

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