Embassy of the United States in Manila

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone’s remarks
at the 60th Commemoration of the Battle for Manila
Freedom Triangle, Manila City Hall
February 3, 2005

Mayor Atienza and Mrs. Atienza, Secretary Ermita, officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, fellow dignitaries, honored veterans of the Battle of Manila, and great people of the lively, beautiful, heroic, inspiring and bustling City of Manila: Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat. And thank you for welcoming us here today.

Sixty years ago, U.S. and Filipino soldiers and the underground resistance battled to free Manila from a cruel occupying force. Living witnesses like Col. De Ocampo and other participants tell us that our soldiers fought fiercely down what is now Roxas Boulevard. The enemy had holed up for last stands in the Manila Hotel, the Army and Navy Club, and even, illegally, in the Philippine General Hospital. MacArthur raised the American flag over the heavily bombed US High Commission – now our Embassy – only on February 21st.

Philippine historians tell us that over 100,000 people died during the Battle of Manila. By the end of the battle on March 3rd, the city was nearly razed. But Manila was poised to spring to life again through the boundless energy and the spirit of a liberated people.

The famous American photojournalist, Carl Mydans, wrote in Life magazine a few months later that his most vivid memory of the Eighth Cavalry’s dash into Manila was the joy of the free Filipinos they encountered along the way. Mydans described how:
“We would pass through barrio after barrio, where every man, woman and child would be out waving, shouting victory, handing us flowers, eggs, . . . and there could be no doubt of where their warm and deep convictions lay. I was more moved by these people welcoming us than by the victory marches I have been on as we liberated southern France.”

Mydans witnessed and captured in his words and photographs something profound: the unshakeable friendship between Filipinos and Americans, rooted in our shared passion for liberty as our most basic human right.

Later today, many of us will also mark the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of prisoners at the ancient University of Santo Tomas. There, United States Army troops of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment, of the First Cavalry Division, freed 3,700 internees -- men, women and children who had been imprisoned there for more than two and a half years.

Through today’s rites we honor the sacrifices of treasure, and youth, and blood made by the preceding generation to give us our freedom and prosperity. We honor the courage and the bravery of those Americans and Filipinos, as well as our allies, who risked their lives, who gave their lives, so others could be free.
Just as sixty years ago, so today we Americans and Filipinos stand together, with our WWII allies -- and indeed with our former enemies, now our strong allies in the cause of liberty -- to rededicate ourselves to passing on the legacy of freedom to our own children.

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, veterans of the Battle of Manila. Maraming Salamat at mabuhay.

* * * * *


U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone’s remarks at the 60th Commemoration of the Battle for Manila Freedom Triangle, Manila City Hall February 3, 2005 Mayor Atienza and Mrs. Atienza, Secretary Ermita, officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, fellow dignitaries, honored veterans of the Battle of Manila, and great people of the lively, beautiful, heroic, inspiring and bustling City of Manila: Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat. And thank you for welcoming us here today. Sixty years ago, U.S. and Filipino soldiers and the underground resistance battled to free Manila from a cruel occupying force. Living witnesses like Col. De Ocampo and other participants tell us that our soldiers fought fiercely down what is now Roxas Boulevard. The enemy had holed up for last stands in the Manila Hotel, the Army and Navy Club, and even, illegally, in the Philippine General Hospital. MacArthur raised the American flag over the heavily bombed US High Commission – now our Embassy – only on February 21st. Philippine historians tell us that over 100,000 people died during the Battle of Manila. By the end of the battle on March 3rd, the city was nearly razed. But Manila was poised to spring to life again through the boundless energy and the spirit of a liberated people. The famous American photojournalist, Carl Mydans, wrote in Life magazine a few months later that his most vivid memory of the Eighth Cavalry’s dash into Manila was the joy of the free Filipinos they encountered along the way. Mydans described how: “We would pass through barrio after barrio, where every man, woman and child would be out waving, shouting victory, handing us flowers, eggs, . . . and there could be no doubt of where their warm and deep convictions lay. I was more moved by these people welcoming us than by the victory marches I have been on as we liberated southern France.” Mydans witnessed and captured in his words and photographs something profound: the unshakeable friendship between Filipinos and Americans, rooted in our shared passion for liberty as our most basic human right. Later today, many of us will also mark the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of prisoners at the ancient University of Santo Tomas. There, United States Army troops of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment, of the First Cavalry Division, freed 3,700 internees -- men, women and children who had been imprisoned there for more than two and a half years. Through today’s rites we honor the sacrifices of treasure, and youth, and blood made by the preceding generation to give us our freedom and prosperity. We honor the courage and the bravery of those Americans and Filipinos, as well as our allies, who risked their lives, who gave their lives, so others could be free. Just as sixty years ago, so today we Americans and Filipinos stand together, with our WWII allies -- and indeed with our former enemies, now our strong allies in the cause of liberty -- to rededicate ourselves to passing on the legacy of freedom to our own children. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, veterans of the Battle of Manila. Maraming Salamat at mabuhay. * * * * *
	Last Update :: 01/05/2007
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