Memorare: To never forget the bloodbath in the Liberation of Manila, even of the nameless and unknowns

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 18): Memorare: To never forget the bloodbath in the Liberation of Manila, even of the nameless and unknowns

“We remember them nor shall we ever forget,” was the inscription made by the National Artist for Literature, Nick Joaquin in The Memorare monument in Intramuros on the lives taken during the Liberation of Manila in 1945.

Today commemorates the 20th year since the unveiling of The Memorare in 1995, a sculpture mounted as a gravestone for over 100, 000 men and women, children and infants who died during the battle waged by Filipino and American troops against the Japanese forces in the month-long battle of Manila from February 3 to March 3, 1945.

The Memorare, a Latin word which means “to remember”, was Peter de Guzman’s work of art which stands at Plazuela de Santa Isabel.

The sculpture portrays a woman whose face depicts a great despair over the body of a lifeless child in her cradle and six other dead bodies around her is a sober reminder of a number of nameless people’s dreadful massacre which took place in World War II.

In the account of William Manchester, author and historian, the Liberation of Manila was one of the greatest tragedies of the Second World War. It was in 1945 that the City of Manila perished vast devastation, almost turning the architectural heritage into nothing but debris.

To recap the lessons of the Battle of Manila, various activities as lectures, exhibits and conferences have started on February 3 and would run until March for the commemoration of its 70th anniversary.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, in a speech during the kick-off ceremony of the Liberation of Manila’s anniversary, has also expressed honor for the courage of those who fought for democracy and freedom that the country has now redeemed.

The University of Santo Tomas, which was turned into a prison camp during the Japanese regime, has also held commemorative activities as American World War II detainees paid a visit to the former Internment Camp in Manila.

The U.S. Embassy of the Philippines has also related support in the commemoration as it call for entries to the drawing or photo with 5 peso Leyte Landing commemorative coin contest. Entries should interpret the theme, “Valuing the Past, Present and Future”. The deadline for submission is on February 22.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=736846