Talisay observes US landing anniversary

CEBU, Philippines - First district Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas yesterday urged Talisay City residents to not only commemorate the anniversary of the American Forces Landing in March 26, 1945, but to also put to heart the celebration considering that what happened that day liberated them from the occupation of the foreign forces.

Gullas was the keynote speaker in yesterday’s celebration of the 65th landing anniversary held at the shores of barangay Poblacion, Talisay City.

He said that for the past many years since that historical event, it has been commemorated but during which "Cebuanos did not take it to heart."

Gullas also led the wreath-laying ceremony at the landing marker, which last year was declared by the National Historical Institute as a national shrine.

"Without the landing, things could have turned differently and only God knows what it could have been," Gullas said.

The lawmaker also thanked the veterans of World War II who came to be a part of the celebration, and even appealed to the Talisaynons “to love” them, being the ones who suffered to free the province during that war.

Gullas also likened the veterans to his uncle Paulino Gullas, who died during the war, and whose remains have never been discovered.

He however said that despite what had happened, he still does “not hold any rancor against the Japanese because I believe that the best way to honor the veterans is to see to it that our leaders of today will serve our people well. That’s the ultimate test.”

“In all humility, I salute the veterans without whose sacrifices and heroic acts we would not have enjoyed our freedom and democracy today,” he said, adding that some of these veterans have started diminishing over the years.

He also asked that the landing in Talisay be “institutionalized” like what the country does to all other events, even making them national holidays. The American Forces Landing, known as “Takas sa Talisay” is a non-working holiday, but only in Talisay. Gullas is however pushing it to become a province-wide holiday, considering that the event had not only liberated Talisay but the entire province as well.

And like in the past years, yesterday’s celebration was capped with a reenactment of the American Landing, conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Central Command and the Philippine Navy.

City Councilor Shirley Belleza, chairman on Tourism and Heritage Council, said there would have been skydiving, too, but the past days’ rehearsals have proved that it was “too risky” for the sky divers.

According to history, exactly 65 years ago yesterday, when the American troops with some Filipino soldiers landed in barangay Poblacion shores and helped the country free from the Japanese.

And it was four months later, on August 28, when the Japanese surrendered to the province.   (FREEMAN NEWS)