BAGUIO CITY – Officials of the Philippine Veterans Bank recently inaugurated its newly renovated branch in the city in time for the 72nd anniversary of the Liberation of Baguio last week.
Miguel Angelo C. Villa-real, PVB vice president and head for corporate and consumer relations, said the centrepiece of the renovated branch located within the vicinity of Rizal Park is its World War II history wall with four panels depicting the story of World War II in the Philippines with several of the panels dedicated to World War II events that happened in the city.
He added the PVB branch has two display cases that contain artifacts, paraphernalia, and memorabilia from the war.
“We encourage local residents and visitors to make a visit to our newly renovated branch and you can almost have a trip to a museum. The branch will be open to the public,” Villa-real stressed.
The PVB official pointed out the history wall also has a panel with a display monitor that continuously screens World War II documentaries and photos and that the new branch also sports a new façade with a large ‘V’ that is not only a nod to the bank’s stockholders, the over 300,000 Filipino World War II veterans but also a symbol of the aggressive outlook that the bank has of the city.
Villa-real explained this aggressiveness is easily dispelled once inside the branch as the interiors convey a sense of comfort and homeliness.
Attendees to the inauguration of the new PVB branch were officials of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, surviving World War II veterans of Baguio and Benguet and the sons and daughters of deceased World War II veterans.
PVB officials who were present during the simple inauguration rites were president and chief executive officer Nonilo C. Cruz, senior vice president and branch banking group head Vilma A. Noche and Villa-real himself while local officials who graced the occasion were Benguet Gov. Crecencio Pacalso, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan and Rep. Mark Go.
According to Villa-real, some 25 to 30 World War II photos have been included in the history wall to provide customers a clear view of the important events during the war that led to the liberation of the city from the Japanese Imperial Army on April 27, 1945.
He added PVB’s branches all over the country are the only ones to provide clients with photo documentations of important historical events that happened in the areas where their branches are situated to emphasize key events that transpired in the local history.
Villa-real urged individuals and groups who have still photographs in their possession related to the important events in the city’s history to coordinate with them on how the said photographs could be displayed in the branch close to their residence.
By HENT
