Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan held a Dedication Day to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the XU Masterson Campus and Manresa Township on September 8, 2022. “Today, we recognize that the Campus of the Future is a gift from God to Xavier Ateneo, to us, a gift that needs our collective effort to make it happen, …
Author Archives: Mike Baños
The Guerrilla Air Force of Mindanao
On the morning of 28 February 1945 the US Eight Army began the VICTOR operations with an assault on Palawan. General Douglas MacArthur wanted air bases on Palawan, on the Zamboanga Peninsula of Mindanao, and on the Sulu Archipelago to support a reoccupation of North Borneo. The rest of the islands—the central group of Panay, …
Time Stops in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon : The Philippine Eagle Sanctuary of Northern Mindanao
The town of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon is renowned for the Del Monte plantation, but there’s more to this upland town than its pineapples. Named in honor of Don Manolo Fortich, a resident of Barrio Damilag and the first Governor (1902-1914) of the District of Bukidnon, the town was originally known as Maluko. Manolo Fortich …
DENR’s “Heritage Cannon Project” at Dolomite Beach draws flak
World War II Heritage Cannons new attractions at Dolomite Beach (Maharlika TV)
Guerrillas who liberated Cagayan during World War II honored
Veterans kin crowd-fund PT-41 scale model for MacArthur Memorial Filipino guerrillas who liberated Cagayan de Oro from the Japanese Imperial Army were honored in a simple ceremony held on its 77th Anniversary at the Activity Center of Ayala Centrio Mall on May 12, 2020. In memory of the valor and sacrifice of our guerrillas and …
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PT-41 comes home : WWII veterans kin fund PT-41 scale model for MacArthur Memorial in Cagayan de Oro
The commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of General Douglas MacArthur’s Breakout from Corregidor on March 13, 2022 was constrained by the latest surge of the coronavirus pandemic, but this did not stop private citizens led by the families of World War II USAFFE and guerrillas from making a token gesture to acknowledge its importance in …
In Remembrance for Anzac Day: Australian Guerrillas in Tawi-Tawi & Mindanao, Philippines during World War II
Australia and New Zealand celebrate Anzac Day every year on April 25th. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”. Observed on 25 April …
Battlefield Angel of Mercy: Major Blas Chaves Velez, MC
“B” Co. Collecting Company, 101st Medical Battalion, 101st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, USAFFE & 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 10th Military District, USFIP The annals of the Second World War in the Pacific Theatre are full of tales of heroism and sacrifice by patriots and martyrs who put their lives at risk or paid the …
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Cagayan de Oro marks 80th Anniversary of MacArthur’s Breakout from Corregidor
Sunday, March 13, 2022, is the 80th Anniversary of General Douglas MacArthur’s arrival in Macabalan Pier following his successful breakout from Corregidor. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt earlier ordered MacArthur to escape to Australia when the fall of the Philippines became imminent. Instead of taking the usual route by submarine, MacArthur instead chose the PT Boats …
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Elegy for a Kagay-anon Uptown Pioneer: Rodolfo Luciano Meñes (23 November 1947-19 February 2022)
One of Cagayan de Oro’s pioneers who built up Uptown Cagayan de Oro has passed on, but his legacy lives on in the township he helped establish which perfectly embodies the city’s trailblazing spirit, and his various engagements in civic society organizations where he was a well-respected voice. Rodolfo Luciano Meñes was born in Magalang, …