74 years after Talisay Landing, veterans say ‘war not yet over’

CEBU, Philippines — We are still fighting a war, albeit in another front.

For some veterans, the Second World War may have long been over but the battle, they say, continues in a different form today.

Leonardo Fabiano, president of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, said the country has yet to rid itself of poverty, corruption, and other societal problems.

“There are more things to be done in our continuing battle against poverty, against corruption,  selfishness, against lawlessness and injustice,” he addressed the crowd during a program that marked the 74th anniversary commemoration of Talisay Landing yesterday on the shores of Barangay Poblacion.

“We can all be modern-day heroes if we focus our energies to do better,” he added.

Fabiano was among the more or less 50 veterans who graced the commemoration of the 1945 Talisay Landing of the American forces that paved way for the liberation of Cebu and the Philippines from the Japanese occupation.

He said members of his federation were in Talisay yesterday not only to pay homage to war veterans but also to new auxiliaries, support groups, and numerous civilians who also played a role in liberating the country from invaders.

Locally called as the “Takas sa Talisay,” the landing is celebrated every year with a reenactment of some of the scenes in history.

In his speech, Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas emphasized the importance and “sacredness” of the liberation of Talisay to the rest of Cebu and the country.

It’s not the government officials, he said, who should be honored but the war veterans who fought hard for the country.

“Kini sila maoy buhi nga hero nga angay natong pasidunggan niining (they are the living heroes who deserve our recognition here in) Takas sa Talisay,” he said.

Before the program and the reenactment, a Eucharistic celebration was held, followed by a civic and military parade.

Just like in the past, students from Talisay City College portrayed the roles as Filipinos and Japanese soldiers during the reenactment, while the personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command, Philippine Navy, and graduates of basic Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps acted as the U.S. troops.

Residents and other spectators were dazzled by the scenes that featured, among others, the “US troops” aboard inflatable boats as they docked on the city’s shores. — Moira Beatrice A. Zamora, USC Intern JMD (FREEMAN)