73 YEARS AFTER LINGAYEN GULF LANDING

SEVENTY-three years after the historic Lingayen Gulf Landings, students at West Central Elementary School (WCES) in this city are continuously taught about the liberation of Filipinos from the Japanese occupation and regard US Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the famous American soldier, a hero.

Marissa Mamaril, a teacher for 26 years teaching Araling Panlipunan and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao in Grade 6, has been teaching her students that their Home Economics (H.E.) Building was used by MacArthur and the Allied Forces during their brief encampment here at the closing of World War II.

Mamaril said she always emphasized this important part of history, especially during the Agew na Dagupan (Dagupan Day) on June 20 and the commemoration of Lingayen Gulf Landings every Jan. 9.

Based on historical records, MacArthur and his troop used the WCES briefly as headquarters of the Southwest Pacific Area Command after the American Allied Forces landed in Lingayen Gulf on Jan. 9, 1945 to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation.

The Gabaldon building in the school was where US soldiers accompanying MacArthur stayed while his bed, bathtub and cabinet can still be found inside the H.E. building, she added.

Mamaril said their students are awed by the role played by MacArthur and his soldiers in Philippine history.

“He was the American general who led the soldiers so we can regain our freedom during World War II,” Mamaril said is how he describes MacArthur to her students. “He is regarded like a hero,” she added.

The school library by the building’s veranda. (Punchphoto by Eva Visperas)

The second floor of the H.E. Building was temporarily converted as school library while one class of Special Education in Grade 6 temporarily holds its classes there while awaiting completion of the construction of a building nearby in campus.

The first floor of MacArthur building is being used as canteen and feeding room.

Meanwhile, Fourth District Rep. Christopher de Venecia said he wants the MacArthur building restored to its original form and is presently sourcing funds for the project.

Mamaril said a picture of MacArthur with some Filipinos in front of his headquarters is displayed at the City Museum.

Meanwhile, Lagrimas Casanova, a teacher in charge of the upkeep of the building, said in a separate interview that a representative of Kooler, the brand of the bathtub, came few years ago asking permission to bring the bathtub abroad to authenticate it.

Apparently, the company wanted to prove to the public that its products last a lifetime but she said the school administration did not approve it because of uncertainty that it will be returned.

At the front yard of the MacArthur building is a three-sided marker.

One side reads: “Luzon Landing. On this site, The West Central Elementary School Home Economics Building, Dagupan City, was used by General Douglas MacArthur as his official headquarters after his landing in Lingayen Beach on 9 January 1945 to liberate the Island of Luzon, thus fulfilling his promise to the Filipino people ‘I Shall Return.’”

Another side is marker with an eagle, an American flag and the words “Freedom is not free, vigilance is the price of Liberty.”

A third side shows the official seal of Dagupan with its motto, “Aliguas Dagupan.” (Eva Visperas)

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