A Visit To General McArthur Park: A Memorial For A Fulfilled Promise

30 October 2024

Have you heard the statement, "I shall return?" If you are familiar with it, then you are familiar with General Douglas MacArthur, an iconic man who played a significant role during World War II and helped our country, the Philippines, reclaim its freedom from Japanese control.

Before diving into a little bit more about the history of the place featured on this blog, let me share how we ended up there because it was definitely not part of our plan. We traveled to Tacloban City on Tuesday morning to update my mom's PVAO pension. The weather was perfect, and there were no more signs of a tropical cyclone, which we recently experienced.

We arrived at our destination, which was quite far from the city area, at noon. However, it only took us half an hour to process the transactions we needed, so I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to visit an iconic destination near the government center we visited. I remembered McArthur Memorial Park, which is only a few minutes walk from the government center we visited. Before returning to the city area, we took a brief stroll around the park. It was the final place I visited before embarking on my journey to work abroad in 2017. Back then, I was with my sisters, but on that particular day, I was joined by my mother and two other siblings. There were supposed to be six of us, but the other two had school exams, so they couldn't join us.

This park is officially named Leyte Landing Memorial National Park, but shortly known as McArthur Park by locals.

This isn't just an ordinary park but an iconic landmark that symbolizes resilience and liberation. During World War II, General Douglas MacArthur, who is an American general, was the field marshal in the Philippine Army. He was known for his heroic act and gave hope to the Filipino people. The park was built to commemorate his iconic return and fulfilled promise; thus, it was named after him.

In 1942, the Japanese invasion forced the American Army to retreat. However, before he left our country, he made a strong vow to the Filipino people, asserting that he shall return. That's how the line, "I shall return" became famous in our country. Two years later, in October 1944, General Douglas MacArthur returned to our country and led strong allied forces. That day marked a significant event in Philippine history. He led the operations to reclaim our country from Japanese control.

On October 20th of 1994, General McArthur landed at Red Beach, Palo Leyte, to fulfill his promise along with President Sergio Osmeña and other high-ranking allied forces. The intense battle between the Philippine Army, allied forces, and the Japanese Army began. This operation led to victory, and our country finally reclaimed its freedom against Japanese control.

It was a remarkable moment that Filipinos won't forget. (Just check the links for references.)

This official photo shows him landing at Leyte alongside the President and Allied forces.

Image source here

Our neighboring province, Leyte, annually celebrates Leyte Landing every 20th of October, which happened more than a week ago, and I missed that special event because it slipped my mind. It was almost two decades ago when I first attended it. On this day, representatives from the American and Philippine Army are present to commemorate this event and the soldiers' sacrifices to reclaim liberation. During this celebration, the park is filled with military vehicles and displays. There is a military parade, reenactment, tributes, events, and shows to watch, as well as famous celebrities and high-ranking officials to see.

Here's a short video about the recent Leyte Landing celebration. You can click here.

This park experienced havoc during super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, so it underwent renovation. The super typhoon severely damaged the coastal area, which led to the construction of a more spacious promenade. It now serves as a biking and jogging area and a viewing spot for locals. Some nearby businesses around it have been built since my last visit in 2017.

Behind the iconic statue of General McArthur, there is a long stone mural facing the sea, showing the Allied forces' landing and their battle against the Japanese army.

This mural reflects the courage and resilience displayed by Philippine and American soldiers, a legacy that will forever be marked in Philippine history. By looking at the murals and statues, one can visualize their sacrifices and resilience displayed during the liberation. Because of their bravery and heroic acts, our country reclaimed our freedom.

Today, this park is a popular tourist destination in Leyte. The park is surrounded by greenery and is located along the coastline where the Allied forces landed. Its tranquil ambiance makes it a popular site for picnics and gatherings. It faces a tranquil sea, which, during bright weather, offers a stunning view of the outlying islands and the Tacloban airport on the right. There's also a famous hotel near the park where many tourists like to stay.

It was just a short stroll because of the scorching sun. It was also my mom's and youngest bro's first time seeing the park.

We left the city with new memories and knowledge about Philippine history.

Thanks for your time.