Photo exhibit recalls World War II in Panay
Most of the black and white pictures were grainy and were often blurred. But the images still evoked vivid memories, brought tears to the elderly and told unknown stories to the younger generations.
Thousands of Ilonggos have flocked to an exhibit of rare photographs of the World War II on Panay Island at the food court area of the SM City mall in Mandurriao District here.
The photo exhibit, initiated by Aksyon Radyo Iloilo and the 6th Military District WWII Veterans Association Inc., is a tribute to World War II heroes as part of the commemoration of the 64th anniversary of the liberation of Panay, Guimaras and Romblon islands from Japanese occupation.
The guerrillas in Panay led by Gen. Macario Peralta Jr. were recognized as among the best organized in the country and reputedly put up among the fiercest resistance against the Japanese invaders.
The exhibit which opened on March 18 will last until March 31 but will be transferred to the Iloilo provincial capitol and in various universities on Panay Island, said project director Jay Balnig.
Around 100 photographs mounted on tarpaulin panels depict the war on the island from December 18, 1941 to March 20, 1945.
The haunting images include photographs of Japanese soldiers in Iloilo City and Capiz and in neighboring towns.
Several photographs showed tanks ruling along the historic Calle Real (J.M. Basa St.) at the heart of Iloilo City.
Another photograph was on the landing of the Japanese Army's Kawamura Detachment in Barangay Trapeche in Oton town in Iloilo on April 16, 1942.
Among the most interesting were photographs of the Japanese invasion and occupation of Panay and the destruction of Iloilo City, provided by Dr. Ma. Luisa Mabunay, history professor at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas.
There were photographs of anti-Japanese propaganda which met the “heishi” (Japanese occupational forces) when they entered Iloilo City.
The exhibit also showed photographs of civilian Japanese residents (hojin) belonging to the Iloilo Japanese Association who were quartered by the Philippine Constabulary for three months until they were released by invading forces on April 20, 1942.
It also showed photographs of the the liberation of Panay including the landing of American forces in Barangay Parara in Tigbauan town in Iloilo and the historic march of victorious Filipino guerrillas along the Calle Real and the Iloilo Customs House.
There were also grim accounts of the evacuation of civilian Japanese residents who fled Iloilo City as the Japanese defenses crumbled.
A brief account narrated the evacuation of Japanese civilians from the city to the mountains of southern and central Iloilo.
Facing hunger, fatigue and despair, a group of evacuees mostly elderly and children, decided to perform mass suicide (shudan jiketsu) on March 21, 1945 between Maasin and Cabatauan towns in Iloilo.
Images of the city's landmarks more than 60 years ago drew onlookers especially the elderly who kept on taking pictures.
Balnig said some veterans who visited and saw the sights cried.
“The memories are painful but we hope this will also remind the present generations of what we went through and the sacrifices of the veterans,” he said.