(L-R: Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson with Veteran Corporal Ernesto C. Luis Sr. during the 80th Victory Day ceremony at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Camp John Hay, Baguio City.)
United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong led a ceremony on September 3 commemorating the Victory Day at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Camp John Hay.
Marking the end of World War II in the Philippines, Victory Day is now on its 80th year since the Philippines and the United States stood shoulder-to-shoulder in battle. The ceremony was in honor of the shared sacrifices of Filipino and Allied forces during World War II and in celebration of the enduring ties between the Philippines and the United States.
“The liberation of the Philippines during World War II was a triumph of the extraordinary bravery of Allied forces and the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people. From resistance movements that defied occupation to countless sacrifices made, their legacy is the freedom we cherish today,” Ambassador Carlson said in her remarks. “This shared struggle forged a special relationship between our two nations, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and prosperity of future generations of Filipinos and Americans.”
“That surrender marked not only the end of World War II in the Philippines but also the triumph of courage, strength in spirit, and hope over tyranny and despair. For us in Baguio, this is more than just an event written in textbooks—it is part of our city’s living memory, a legacy carved into our very identity,” Mayor Magalong noted.
As the ceremony’s guest of honor, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stressed, “Today must not merely be an ordinary memorial day. It must be a day of deep reflection. If we do not learn from the lessons of the past, and think as much as we want that the world is a static place, if we do not have resolve, purpose, and unity in action in all facets of public and private life, even with individual behavior and discipline, then we have no business honoring those who have shed their blood.”
More than 300 guests attended the ceremony, including Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu. Veterans, members of the diplomatic corps, the media, and partners from the public and private sectors were also present.
Ambassador Carlson joined Secretary Teodoro, Mayor Magalong, NHCP Chairperson Jose, and PVAO Undersecretary Mapagu in presenting coins to living World War II veterans Angelo Viloria Andrada, Ernesto Carreon Luis, Florence Rimando Marasigan, and Sixta Quiñones Favila to honor their courage and invaluable contributions to freedom and democracy. Luis led the solemn ringing of the ceremonial bell at 12:10 p.m., marking the exact minute of General Yamashita’s surrender. Churches across Baguio City also rang their bells in unison.
During the event, Ambassador Carlson announced the launch of a virtual tour of the historic U.S. Ambassador’s Residence. Developed by the U.S. Department of State, the virtual tour is free and accessible online through the OBO VR app in the Apple Store. “This initiative preserves our shared heritage and invites future generations to reflect on our past and help build a hopeful tomorrow,” Ambassador Carlson said.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Carlson hosted a reception celebrating the U.S.-Philippine friendship and the 249th anniversary of U.S. independence.
