Out of Town Blog
I Shall Return to Leyte
One of the most memorable and historic wartime statements is the phrase “I Shall Return” uttered by General Douglas MacArthur in Australia in 1942 after he escaped the Japanese troops in the Philippines during World War 2.
More than 2 years later, on October 20, 1944, the fabled general would fulfill that vow as he and Philippine President Sergio Osmena and over 100,000 Allied Forces landed on the Pacific beaches of Leyte to start the liberation of the archipelago from Japan.
To memorialize this momentous occasion, the Province of Leyte recently observed the weeklong 81st anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings with a series of commemorative activities and special events.
Fringe events included sporting tournaments, district-wide scouting activities, photo booth displays on General Douglas MacArthur and the Philippine Veterans Bank’s mobile “War of Our Fathers”, a philatelic show, the Leyte Liberation Golf Cup, and the 2025 Dulag Carnival Queen.
Major events kicked off on Oct. 17 with the Sentimental Journey in Suluan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, which recounts the daring raid of Filipino guerrillas on a Japanese airstrip, which led to the establishment of a US naval base 3 days before the Allied landings.
On Oct. 18, the Tolosa municipal government led the Signal Day, which relived the exploits of Boy Scouts Valeriano Abello and his friends Antero Junia and Vicente Tiston, who helped US warships redirect their artillery to Japanese positions through their semaphore skills.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts recreated the telltale semaphore message “Don’t bomb the beaches. There are civilians. If possible, let me direct the shelling” at Telegrafo Beach, where the American fleet was located.
Dulag town recreated the hoisting of the American flag on Oct. 19 at Hill 120 by Lt. Clifford Mills of the US Army’s 96th Infantry Division, the first time it was raised on Philippine soil after the US surrendered in 1942.
The ceremony was followed by a heritage tour at the Rawis Community Museum at the old Japanese airstrip, the Capt. Isao Yamazoe Shrine, which is dedicated to a well-loved Japanese army officer because of his humane treatment of the townsfolk, the ruins of the Our Lady of Refuge Church, which was damaged by American shelling, and the Allied landings beach park.
In the evening, the Palo municipal government welcomed surviving war veterans and their descendants, dignitaries, and local officials in the annual Barrio Fiesta gala dinner, which showcased Eastern Visayas cuisine, music, and dance.
In Dulag, the town held the Concert at Little Tokyo, a moniker it has earned for its strong Japanese cultural influence on the community.
The big day unfolded on Oct. 20 with a Sunrise Ceremony of the Filipino Veterans, and the 81st anniversary program where the 12 surviving war veterans were honored by the Leyte Provincial Government led by governor Carlos Jericho Petilla and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) led by guest of honor and speaker Assistant Secretary Domingo Carbonell, as well as diplomats from Japan and Australia.
The weeklong observance drew to a close with the Sunset Ceremony and Serenata at the Park in Palo, and a Reggae Beach Party and the launch of the 1st Mayor Jade Agullo Open Surfing Competition in Dulag.
Sights and Sounds of Leyte
Beyond the indelible memories of the Second World War, Leyte offers an exciting array of nature, culture, and adventure destinations worth exploring. Guests can hop around idyllic islands with powdery beaches, mountain lakes, enchanting waterfalls, farm-themed resorts, heritage and pilgrimage sites, ecotourism spots, and everything in between.
The hands-down place to stay is the newly opened The Tropics at MacArthur Park Resort, the only four-star accommodation in Eastern Visayas. Strategically located beside the iconic landing site of Gen. MacArthur, the resort hotel takes pride in its 124 well-appointed rooms, which include 2 executive beach pool suites and a presidential villa.
Guests can indulge in a culinary journey at its all-day dining restaurant, which features buffets on weekends: International Cuisine dinner on Fridays, Asian Flavors on Saturday nights, and a Filipino lunch on Sundays. Dining experience is enhanced by its trademark nightly firedance performances, and its dancing hotel staff.
Visitors can also chill out in the afternoon with its café and bar on the second floor, which overlooks the sea.
Fitness buffs can pump iron or do cardio exercises at the fitness gym, or jog along the panoramic Leyte Gulf protective dike.
For a worry-free and consummate journey, tours can be arranged around the usual tourist destinations, as well as in Tacloban City, and neighboring Samar, Biliran, and Southern Leyte.
With the rich war heritage of Leyte and the tropical allure of The Tropics, you will surely make the similar vow of “I Shall Return”.
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Read: Top 15 Best LEYTE TOURIST SPOTS + Things to Do
I Shall Return to Leyte
Bernard Supetran
Out of Town Blog