PVB unveils photo-mural in Baguio

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) recently unveiled a photo-mural in its Baguio branch detailing historical events and images of the city during World War II. The mural is a tribute to the Bank’s shareholders, the almost 400,000 Filipino WWII heroes.

Baguio City and Benguet Province were the sites of significant WWII events such as the formal surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita after his capture in Kiangan, Ifugao on Sept. 2, 1945 marking the close of WWII in the Philippines. Baguio City was heavily bombed both at the onset of the war in December 1941 by invading Japanese forces and by the US forces during the Liberation campaign in 1945.

The event was timed with the 70th anniversary of the Japanese invasion in the country on Dec. 8, 1941 that saw the bombing of several key locations around the archipelago, including Baguio City.

The photo-mural captures these key events and never-before-seen wartime images of familiar sites such as Camp John Hay, Session Road and the Baguio Cathedral.

“Our intention is to bring these historical events to life, to share to the residents and visitors of Baguio City what our forefathers, Our WW II veterans went through. Many of us can relate to these images as these are very familiar attractions in Baguio, and we can see through this mural that these sites are steeped in history. We also wish to honor our Filipino WWII heroes and portray their heroism to the public especially our youth,” said Ricardo Balbido Jr., Veterans Bank president and CEO.

PVB Baguio branch is open to public Monday through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PVB is a private and commercial bank and has 60 branches nationwide.