ILOILO – To mark today’s 80th anniversary of Panay Liberation Day (alternatively called Panay Landing Day and Victory Day on Panay) – a special non-working public holiday as designated by Presidential Proclamation No. 430, Series of 1989 – a World War II Exhibit entitled “War of Our Fathers” will be opened this morning at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Building Lobby.
The exhibit will feature rare photographs, wartime artifacts, and firsthand accounts from veterans and their families, honoring the resilience and sacrifices of Filipino freedom fighters who resisted and defeated the invading Japanese Imperial Army.
“This is a testament to the valor of our veterans and the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people,” said Yul Catabran, officer-in-charge President of Philippine Veterans Bank who is spearheading the exbibit.
“It is important to recognize that Filipino guerillas of the 6th Military District, under the leadership of General Macario Peralta Jr. and other brave commanders, had already won the battle for Panay before the American forces arrived. As a bank owned by veterans and their heirs, PVB remains committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of our nation’s heroes,” said Catabran.
The “War of our Fathers” exhibit honors the unsung heroes of the Sixth Military District, including Lieutenant Colonel Julian Chavez, Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Offemaria, and many other guerrilla fighters.
These brave men led a powerful resistance that forced the Japanese to surrender.
Using clever tactics, strong teamwork, and unshakable determination, they proved that Filipinos had the strength and unity to fight for their freedom on their own.
The opening ceremony will feature a special tribute to surviving veterans and their families, as well as educational discussions on the role of local resistance in World War II.
The “War of our Fathers” exhibit is in collaboration with the Iloilo Provincial Government, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines. It pays tribute to the heroism of Filipino guerrillas from the Sixth Military District who secured Panay’s liberation even before the arrival of American forces in March 1945.
The exhibit will be open to the public from March 18 to 30.
Schools and historical institutions are encouraged to participate to gain a deeper understanding of this chapter in history./PN
