INTRAMUROS, MANILA ─ The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) with Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation in partnership with Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) brought together ‘War & Memory, 80 Years After’ an international conference on the remembrance of the second world war, specifically, the Battle of Manila, last 18-19 February 2025 at the LPU.
Thirty-six (36) speakers from the Philippines, US and Japan joined the two-day conference, with stories and studies of the war as seen through various eyes. This included a History Alive presentation, film showing, book selling, book launches, and book signings of recent WWII publications.
‘There is still much to know about WWII in the Philippines, new information, insights and perspectives about the war and humanity… this is a period in our history that our generation did not experience, yet one that we must not forget or ignore, because it is a significant part of our story as a nation…we honor the memory of those who fought for the freedom that we enjoy today’ NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose said on the gathering of scholars, researchers and enthusiasts at the conference.
Outlined by different panels, the talks started from the Early Philippine Campaign with the role of quinine from Bukidnon in helping the war efforts, Bataan propaganda in the US and POW camps in Pasay and Tarlac. It was followed by The Japanese Occupation discussing wartime atrocities, propaganda, espionage and food. Breakout sessions included topics such as roles of neighborhood associations at the time, children in internment camps and the war’s impact on Philippine scientific efforts.
Next was Rise of the Resistance which talked about the Filipino American Regiments in the US army, Filipino-Chinese Guerillas, including Panay and Lanao Guerilla forces. The talks then switched to Liberation which discussed the story of a rescued American lieutenant, and the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit among others.
In the panel for Battle of Manila they talked about the events which happened in the Bayview Hotel, UP Manila and Philippine General Hospital. Post-War Problems and Issues discussed the Tokyo Trials, the Quirino Administration and Japan and the Roberts Commission Papers. Breakout sessions talked about the plight of comfort women seeking recognition and reparation, Truman’s role in American policy on Filipino veterans, a generous food supplier to Filipino and American forces that the Japanese army wanted Pastor Ilogon dead or alive and the struggle of a forgotten veteran in Pvt. Getulio Aumentado.
The last panel for Memorialization talked about one of the last Japanese holdouts in Lubang Island, Peace Literature and Victimhood, Transgender Inclusivity in remembering WWII and a Japanese soldier’s experience at the end of wartime.
Stories of valor and survival from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao showed the effects of war on the nation and eighty years after, we are reminded to never forget the sacrifices offered to experience the freedom we enjoy today.
WWII was a conflict between the Allied and Axis forces and participated in by most countries, making it the deadliest war in history with almost 85m deaths. In the Philippines, then a colony of the United States, the occupation by Japan lasted four years and resulted in thousands of casualties. The capital Manila, was the second most devastated city and according to historians, has never returned to its pre-war glory.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research, and publications, and to preserve historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.