MACARTHUR LANDING MEMORIAL NATIONAL PARK. Commonly known as MacArthur Park, is one of Leyte’s significant landmarks. It is where the famous bronze statue of General Douglas MacArthur is found which commemorates his historic return to the island of …
MACARTHUR LANDING MEMORIAL NATIONAL PARK. Commonly known as MacArthur Park, is one of Leyte’s significant landmarks. It is where the famous bronze statue of General Douglas MacArthur is found which commemorates his historic return to the island of Leyte on the early afternoon of October 20, 1944. Built along with the stutue of the brave General are his landing Filipino companions – then President Sergio Osmeña, General Carlos Romulo and four other soldiers. Because of the park’s significance in the history of the Philippines, the same has been declared as a National Historical Landmark in the year 2004.
Inscribed on a marble wall in front of the bronze statues is General MacArthur’s promise to return which have been kept in the hearts of all Leyteños. Indeed, a well-preserved promise that while it has already been fulfilled, it continues to give hope to the present generation.
The Park is located at Brgy. Candahug, Palo, Leyte which is three (3) kilometers away from the town proper.
FULFILLMENT OF A PROMISE
by Aaron J.P. Almadro
Whenever guests from Manila or other places visit Eastern Visayas, one of the mandatory tourist places one must visit is the McArthur Memorial Park.
A stones throw away from Tacloban City (actually, around 15-25 minutes depending on traffic), the park is a family-friendly space where people converge for a stroll, picnic, photo session, or simply a breather from the mundane.
It’s a huge laid-back park lined with trees and covered with grass, perfect to plop down read a book. Some people come here for photoshoots and other creative activities for a picturesque backdrop.
But unbeknown to a lot, this isn’t just the usual tourist spot. On this area was where the largest naval battle in history took place. The current idyllic seafront and clear skies, during the second world war was filled with battleships, and wreckage, and dogfighting fighter planes. Though this great battle wasn’t as bloody, it was a spectacle and surviving veterans ..
