Liberation Trails Tour 2025 — Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation

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Liberation Trails Tour 2025

February 24 - March 1, 2025
Manila, Central Luzon, and Northern Luzon

The tour kicks off with a quick lecture from our featured historian, James Zobel.

Battlefield expert and Philwar Advisory Board Member Tony Feredo often exchanged bits of information and held short discussions aboard the coaster.

Our first stop was Clark Parade Grounds.

Kamikaze East Airfield in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Although its construction is controversial, it is a constant reminder of what happened on this very soil. This Philippines was the "birthplace" of the kamikaze.

Lingayen Capitol, a tastefully restored art deco building from before the war.

At the beach where American soldiers marched ashore.

At MacArthur's house, currently situated in the campus of the West Central Elementary School, where it is being taken care of.

The people of Lingayen welcomed us warmly, especially James Zobel, who was key in the recognition of Lingayen Gulf as the landing point of General Douglas MacArthur.

Groundsbreaking ceremony for a museum to be built in Lingayen to commemorate the landing of MacArthur.

A marker for the landing site.

With Senator Grace Poe.

With Lingayen mayor, Mayor Belen Fernandez.

James Zobel speaks in front of a crowd of government officials, educators, students, and the general public, showing them proof of the landings being at Lingayen.

Before dinner, a quick lecture by James.

At the Red Arrow Monument in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, named after the Red Arrow Division.

“Erected by the officers and men of the 32nd Infantry Division United States Army in memory of their gallant comrades who were killed along the Villa Verde Trail, January 30, 1945 - May 28, 1945”.

The private high school across the street is named after the Red Arrow Division, as well. Established in 1946, it is called the Red Arrow High School.

At a rest stop at the Villaverde Trail.

The famed Sherman Tank people from all over come to see.

Salacsac Japanese Memorial. On its sides are plaques that memorialize the war, wishing for eternal peace of all soldiers.

Snacks given to us by a Japanese friend to offer to the dead.

At the Kirang Memorial, which is currently housed in Kirang Elementary School to be taken care of. It was put up by the Rokusankai, a group of veterans, wishing for peace and for war to never happen again.

More offerings for the dead.

Tony shows the group a Japanese bomb shell used as a bell at the school. This is a common way in the area to reuse old war relics.

At the Saint Vincent Ferrer Church at Dupax del Sur.

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For our final dinner together, the group ate a wonderful five course meal at The Champagne Room of The Manila Hotel.

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