Friday, March 14, 2008 Officials inaugurate historical landmark By Abigail C. Malalis
FORMER President Fidel Ramos calls it "the biggest hat in the world."
Officials led by Ramos, Mayor Constantino Jaraula, and Representative Rufus Rodriguez inaugurated Thursday the historical marker where America's greatest general, Douglas MacArthur, landed on his way to Australia as he fled the onslaught of the Japanese Army during World War II.
The marker, a gold colored concrete replica of MacArthur's famous cap, can be seen by all incoming vessels as they docked at the Macabalan Wharf of the Philippine Port Authority in this city.
"This is the biggest hat in the entire world," said Ramos, himself a decorated war veteran.
In his keynote speech, Ramos lauded the heroism of Filipino soldiers in defending freedom of the Philippines and urged the youth to follow their footsteps.
"The formidable spirit of our heroes during the Philippine revolution in 1896 that caused thousands of lives; the great suffering of heroism of our Filipinos in fighting for our freedom and democracy during the World War II in 1942 and the renewal and transformation of the individual Filipino spirit leading to regain Philippine freedom and democracy through peaceful revolt in 1986 are best examples for our younger generations now," Ramos said.
The MacArthur marker at Macabalan wharf is the fifth national historical marker in Cagayan de Oro according to Executive Director Ludovico Badoy of the National Historical Institute.
The marker has a replica of PT Boat 41, which brought MacArthur, his wife, Jean, and their son, Arthur to Cagayan de Oro from embattled Corregidor Island. The replica is encased in a glass and donated by the Kagay-anon International of Southern California (KISC) to the City of Cagayan de Oro.
Mayor Jaraula signed a memorandum of agreement with PPA General Manager Oscar Sevilla, Macabalan barangay officials, and the MacArthur Marker Committee.
In the agreement, the PPA delineated and segregated the 1,000 square meters for the marker and will recommend any modifications in its layout, design and other details as well as control and administer the historical site. The tasks involved site development, its construction and maintenance.
The Barangay council of Macabalan shall assist the city government in the removal of illegal structures along the periphery of the site as well as responsible for the daily upkeep, cleanliness, security and maintenance, beautification and orderliness of the area.
Jaraula said the marker will put Cagayan de Oro on the map of the "liberation trail" of World War II.
"It gives us pride that our city is a witness to the significant event in the world history," Jaraula said.
Lieutenant Colonel Frederik Riker, deputy chief of the Joint US Military Action Group (JUSMAG) thanked the people of Cagayan de Oro for remembering the saga of the American and Filipino people during World War II.
"I've always learned three great words from General MacArthur - duty, honor and country, for these three words will dictate what we can be and what we should be in the course of our lives. And these were concretely shown by the people of Cagayan de Oro through their heroism in fighting during the World War II," Riker said.
Paulita Nanette R. Roa of the City Historical Commission said the MacArthur Marker is the fifth historical marker in Cagayan de Oro.
"Other markers include the Macahambus Hill which is the site of the first victory of the Filipinos against the Americans during the entire Philippine-American war in 1900," Roa said.
"We are very proud and honored to have five NHI marker in Cagayan de Oro. The design of NHI markers carries the same symbol and once being put up, it is always protected by the National Heritage Law and the national government," she said.
The other historical sites in the city are the Gaston Park where the Battle of Cagayan de Misamis took place, Agusan Hill, and the Sia residence along Velez-Hayes Streets.
