Fil-Ams to celebrate 70th anniversary of Leyte landing by US forces

SAN JOSE, California – Community-based organizations will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the landing in Leyte by US forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1944, which commenced the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation in World War II.

The Leyte Gulf Landing anniversary will be commemorated in Santa Clara County on Sunday, October 19at JTS Northside Community Center, 488 North 6th Street, San Jose, from 12:00 to 4:30 pm.

On the morning of October 20, 1944, American forces landed on Red Beach in the municipality of Palo, near Leyte’s capital, Tacloban. Landing on the beachhead that day were Filipino and American leaders, notably General Douglas MacArthur, President Sergio Osmeña, and Brigadier General Carlos P. Romulo.

The invasion of the island of Leyte began the campaign for the liberation of the Philippines from the Imperial Japanese forces, fulfilling MacArthur’s promise to return to the islands more than two years earlier.

The landing also marked the re-establishment of the Commonwealth Government on Philippine soil after years of government-in-exile in the United States. The Battle of Leyte lasted from October 20 to December 31, 1944, resulting in a victory for the Allied forces. The Battle of Leyte was a watershed moment in the Pacific war theatre, culminating in the end of almost three years of Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

Since the post-1965 family reunification act, many more Filipinos came to America — and continue to immigrate. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 20, a.k.a. Leyte Landing Commemoration Day, was filed with the California Secretary of State on August 29, 2013.

Janet Alvarado, Curator of The Alvarado Project, said: “This bill officially recognizes how our freedom was gained so bravely. We will always remember the role of the U.S. Filipino 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments in fighting to liberate the Philippines.”

Lunch starts at 12noon with meal donations at $3.00 per senior and $8.00 for a non-senior guest. The ceremony will be held from 12:45 to 1:30 pm, with dancing up to 4:30 pm. Social Dance donation is $3.00 per person.

This milestone event is also a special celebration of Filipino American History Month, sponsored by the Community Child Care Council of Santa Clara County and hosted by The Alvarado Project.

To RSVP for the October 19 event, email Janet Alvarado at [email protected].