At the unveiling of the newly refurbished Lingayen WWII Memorial, from R-L: VFP District Commander Marcelino dela Cruz, Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., Vice-Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, and PVB President & CEO Ricardo A. Balbido, Jr.

 

The Pangasinan Provincial Government in partnership with Philippine Veterans Bank and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines recently unveiled the newly refurbished Lingayen World War II memorial, located at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, Lingayen, Pangasinan.

The memorial is a standing tribute to the Filipino Freedom fighters and remembers the historic Lingayen Gulf Landing of the Allied forces close to 65 years ago under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. The landing paved the way for the complete retaking of Luzon and surrender of the Japanese forces led by Gen. Yamashita nine months later.

The unveiling was led by Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., Vice-Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, PVB President & CEO Ricardo A. Balbido, Jr., and National Historical Institute (NHI) Deputy Executive Director Emelita Almosara.

The project entailed the updating of the history panels and photo display, with a timeline of events and paintings that documented the Landing and Pangasinan during the war. The pillars in the center of the Memorial now contain new WWII memorabilia and artifacts. One pillar contains the diorama is based on the “Spirit of 1945” painting of American Painter James Turnbull who was commissioned to document World War battles through his art paintings. It portrays the lone Filipino guerrilla fighter who, upon the risk of his own life, tried to signal the landing forces by waving an American flag that the Japanese had retreated and to stop the destructive bombing of the coastline areas. To this day, no one knows the identity of this brave Pangasinense.

The new centerpiece marker symbolizes the main tribute and recognizes the invaluable contribution of Filipino and American soldiers who gave their lives in the Lingayen Gulf Landing.

The memorial is situated a stone’s throw from the beach, one of the sites of the actual landing at Lingayen Gulf in January 1945.

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