Distinguished guests, our keynote speaker, Mr. James Zobel of the MacArthur Memorial Library and Museum; Dr. Robert Laurel, President of the Lyceum of the Philippines University Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, our co-convenors from the Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation or PhilWar, Ms. Desiree Ann Benipayo and Dr. Ricardo Trota Jose, our speakers and participants, a pleasant morning!
We are here in this beautiful and truly historical university—historical in the sense that it is located here in the old city of Manila and founded by our former President, Dr. Jose P. Laurel, who was a WW2 figure himself—for this international conference on the 80th anniversary of World War II in the Philippines.
Our theme “War and Memory: 80 Years After” somehow explains why we are all here, to remember about what happened in the Philippines during the Second World War through the various papers that will be presented today and tomorrow. When I looked at the program, there are 36 speakers, whose papers, I assume, will say many facets of the war—the courage, heroism, and resilience of many individuals, about how terrible it was and the unbelievable magnitude of destruction and lives lost. The battle for Manila alone, which lasted for over a month (February 3 to March 3, 1945) left an estimated 100,000 Filipino civilians, 16,665 Japanese and 1,101 U.S. combatants dead, not to mention those who were wounded physically and those who survived but had to carry the trauma that the war left in them for the rest of their lives.
But as historians, we are here not to simply learn new facts or remember but to look back in retrospect. It was in retrospect that some 50 nations, the Philippines included, gathered soon after the War in 1945 and formed the United Nations that aimed at keeping international peace and security. It is in retrospect that we gather and commemorate this event with respect and honor the memories of those who fought for our freedom. It is in retrospect that we can learn from this conference new insights and perspectives that can help us move forward and build a peaceful future with other nations. May this conference also inspire us all who are here to do more research about WW2 for future conferences.
Once again, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Lyceum of the Philippines University for hosting this event, and the Philippine Worl War II Memorial Foundation for partnering with us in commemorating this important event in our history.
REGALADO TROTA JOSE, JR.
Chair