BAGUIO CITY – Baguio’s 80th Liberation Day celebration at Veterans Park, Harrison Road honored the bravery of Filipino soldiers, guerrillas, and civilians who fought to free the city from Japanese occupation in 1945 during World War II.
The morning program opened with the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and Lupang Hinirang, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and a 21-gun salute by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Among the attendees was 98-year-old Ernesto Luis, the oldest living veteran in Baguio. Luis served as a military courier for B Company, 1st Battalion, 66th Infantry under the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines–Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL). He fought in the war on May 2, 1944.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in his welcome address, reminded everyone of the event’s significance. “Today we gather in solemn remembrance as we commemorate the 80th liberation day of the city of Baguio. A defining moment in our city’s history that reminds us of the enduring spirit of freedom, sacrifice, and patriotism,” he said.
He paid tribute to Filipino and American soldiers, many of them members of the 66th Infantry Regiment, who gave their lives for the city’s dignity and freedom.
Magalong concluded by urging citizens to be driven by the same spirit of unity in combating current social issues, especially corruption. “Ang diwa ng pagpapalaya ay hindi lamang laban sa dayuhang mananakop, kundi laban din sa kahirapan, katiwalian at pagkaka-watak-watak… Silence is no longer an option here. Silence is not neutrality, it’s complicity,” he stressed.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., a proud Cordilleran and Baguio native delivered his keynote address. He emphasized how the 66th infantry and local guerrillas embodied the binnadang spirit, a Cordilleran value of community solidarity.
“The liberation of Baguio wasn’t just a battle won on the battlefield, it was a triumph of people’s will. The collective strength and courage and hope that no force can ever extinguish,” Brawner said. “This spirit is still alive in our mountains, communities, and hearts of every Benguet, Kankanaey, Ibaloi, and fellow Cordillerans.”
In relation to this celebration of bravery and patriotism, General Brawner also discussed the country’s ongoing national defense efforts, including the Balikatan exercises in collaboration with the United States, Japan, and other countries such as Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
“In the West Philippine Sea, we defend our sovereignty, not with rifles alone, or missiles alone, but with resolve, with wise diplomacy, and steadfast commitment to our nation’s dignity,” he said. “Our freedom, carefully won through great sacrifice, is a gift we must guard fiercely.”
The event concluded with the performance of native Cordilleran rituals “owek,” the butchering of a pig accompanied by chanting that expresses triumph and mourning, and “tayaw,” a ceremonial dance often performed during community celebrations or to honor spirits and ancestors. By Julianna Mallari
