BY DAVE M. PARAGAS
UNITED STATES Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenny and former president Fidel V. Ramos will lead guests during the launching of the world-class exhibit dubbed as “The War of our Fathers…A Tribute to the Filipino Freedom Fighter” during the 63rd landing anniversary of Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur and his forces in Lingayen on January 9 this year.

Sponsored by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) in partnership with the provincial government led by Gov. Amado T. Espino, the exhibit will be open to the public free of charge at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center.

The provincial government through a Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution has proclaimed January 9 as Pangasinan Veterans Day in honor of the province’s freedom fighters. Espino has asked President Gloria M. Arroyo to declare the observance a non-working holiday in the province.

The exhibit will feature vintage photographs, artifacts and memorabilia on display from World War II to share to the public the “compelling and dramatic stories of Filipino WW II heroes” for today’s generation to have a better grasp of the nation’s history.

The traveling exhibit’s very first stop was in Dagupan City with President Ramos as the inaugural guest last January 2006. Since then, it has gone through 17 other cities all over the country in malls, museums and schools in time for the celebration of their Liberation Day.

Leo Urmaza, veteran’s affairs consultant in the office of the governor, said the afternoon events will be highlighted by a silent drill exhibition of PMA cadets and a sky-diving exhibition of members of the elite PNP Special Action Force. The nationally-acclaimed Philippine Army Drum and Bugle Corps will also show its wares.

PVB President Ricardo A. Balbido Jr. said that through this project, the bank hopes to honor the WW II soldiers and civilians “to help educate Filipinos today, especially the youth on their struggles, sacrifices and victories in one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history.

“Many Filipinos at that time, men and women, young and old, rich and poor displayed flashes of heroism, which many of us failed to notice,“ he added.

Other features of the celebration are the holding of a history symposia, film showing and poster-making contest. The exhibit will run from January 9 to 23.

PVB provides each year 20 per cent of its net profits for programs that benefit the World War II veterans, their widows and families. Through the Board of Trustees for the Veterans of World War II (BTWWWII), the bank supports the VFP out-patient center in Taguig, a modern medical facility that provides free medicine, medical services, physical therapy, eyeglasses and dental care to veterans.

The other is the VFP Museum, Library and Archives, a repository of war memorabilia, books and documents and houses a state-of-the-art showcase of the veteran’s heroism.

A private commercial bank PVB is owned by some 300,000 World War II veterans and their heirs.