Emit seeks US aid on 'Landing' museum

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Doroteo S. Emit, tourism and heritage chairman, wants to invite United States Air Force (USAF), through the United States Embassy, to put up an interactive museum in the city that is relevant to the landing of the American Liberation Forces.

The landing of the American Forces in Talisay City during the Second World War was a key event that led to the liberation of the entire Province of Cebu from the clutch of the occupying Japanese forces.

Emit said the move will remind the public of the importance of the landing.

He said that after seven decades, there has been a diminishing interest and literacy among the local general public with regard to the importance of this historical event.

"There is an urgent need to re-educate the general public about this historical event and its significance today, especially in the face of clear and present danger surrounding the Spratlys Island and Scarborough Shoal," Emit said in his resolution.

He added that the interactive museum will be a sustainable form of honoring the fallen American and Filipino heroes and even the Japanese soldiers as well.

"Through a later act of donation or transfer of technology, this endeavor can generate some revenue for the purpose of sustaining the city's tourism efforts and the Landing celebration itself," he added.

Emit pointed out that the city does not have the resources and the expertise to put up an interactive museum wherein both local and international visitors can experience visually and audibly the images and sounds from scenes that transpired during the said American landing.

In a separate resolution, Emit is requesting the Commander of the Naval Forces Central, Commodore Reynaldo L. Yoma, AFP, to deploy a warship prior to and during the Landing celebration, which is also known as "Takas sa Talisay."  The Takas falls every March 26.

Emit said the educational part of  the landing reenactment is evident, but the importance given to the heroism of our soldiers today is not enough.

"The general public will value and regard more highly our soldiers if they get to appreciate the AFP's current assets by way of a guided tour similar to what is currently practiced in the U.S.," Emit added.

According to him, the presence of such warship would also draw more local and foreign tourists to the Landing celebration and the city itself. (FREEMAN)