Embassy of the United States in Manila

Americans, Filipinos celebrate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Sto. Tomas internment camp

Rev. Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana (right), Rector of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), and Edward Cadwallader, an American detained by the Japanese Army the for more than two years in the UST internment camp in Manila during World War II, stand at attention as the Philippine National Anthem is played during a February 3, 2005 program in Manila celebrating the 60 th anniversary of the liberation of the internment camp. Fr. Lana and Mr. Cadwallader led the laying of a wreath at the entrance of the building where more than 500 Americans were detained by the Japanese Army for more than two years.

A brass plate by the entrance of the building memorializes the building’s significance to thousands of Americans and other nationals who suffered at the hands of the Japanese Army that invaded the Philippines in World War II.

(Above:) A brass plate by the entrance of the building memorializes the building’s significance to thousands of Americans and other nationals who suffered at the hands of the Japanese Army that invaded the Philippines in World War II. (Below:) A giant plaque on the building’s wall names those who were detained in the camp.

A giant plaque on the building’s wall names those who were detained in the camp.

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, Fr. Isidro Abaño, Virginia Glass, and Fr. Lara cut the ribbon to open the exhibit “Spring of Peace: The 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Santo Tomas Internment Camp” at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila on February 3. Ms. Glass was 12 years old when she was interned in the Santo Tomas camp.

(From right:) U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, Fr. Isidro Abaño, Virginia Glass, and Fr. Lara cut the ribbon to open the exhibit “Spring of Peace: The 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Santo Tomas Internment Camp” at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila on February 3. Ms. Glass was 12 years old when she was interned in the Santo Tomas camp. (Below:) Earthen oven and pots, aluminum cookware and table ware, a manual typewriter and a kerosene lamp – all familiar objects of the 1940s for the camp internees -- were among the items highlighted in the exhibit.

Earthen oven and pots, aluminum cookware and table ware, a manual typewriter and a kerosene lamp – all familiar objects of the 1940s for the camp internees -- were among the items highlighted in the exhibit.

Ambassador Ricciardone (right) and U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Ron Post (second, right) join former internees in viewing the exhibit in the UST lobby.

(Above:) Ambassador Ricciardone (right) and U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Ron Post (second, right) join former internees in viewing the exhibit in the UST lobby. (Below:) Among the exhibit was the December 8, 1941 issue of the St. Louis Star-Times which led with a report of the United States’ declaration of war against the Japan.

Among the exhibit was the December 8, 1941 issue of the St. Louis Star-Times which led with a report of the United States’ declaration of war against the Japan.

Margaret Squires point to herself, then 15 years old, in a photograph of women internees washing their hair in the Santo Tomas internment camp. Ms. Squires and fellow former internees saw the photograph in the lobby of the U.S. Embassy during a visit on February 10, 2005.


Ambassador Ricciardone delivers his remarks to the former internees during the February 3 program at UST. He and Senator Dick Gordon meet acquainted with former internees.

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