CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro called on Talisaynons to transform remembrance into meaningful action as the city commemorated the 81st Takas sa Talisay Kagawasan sa Sugbo at the Liberation Park and American Landing Monument in Barangay Poblacion.
The commemoration, held on March 26, honored the courage and sacrifice of the Filipino and American forces who took part in the liberation of Cebu from Japanese occupation during World War II.
But for Baricuatro, remembering the past should go beyond ceremonies and historical recollection. She urged Cebuanos to carry the lessons of the liberation into present-day community life through unity, civic responsibility and service.
Remembering Courage in a Time of War
In her message, Baricuatro said the historic event serves as a reminder of how ordinary Cebuanos demonstrated courage and solidarity during one of the most difficult periods in the province’s history.
“Today, we remember and honor both history and courage. Takas sa Talisay reminds us of a time when ordinary Cebuanos chose to rise, to fight, and to stand for something greater than themselves,” she said.
The governor emphasized that the people who fought during the liberation were not simply historical figures. They were ordinary individuals who faced extraordinary circumstances and were forced to make sacrifices for a future they would not necessarily live to see.
Their story, she said, provides a lesson for present generations about the value of standing together during difficult times.
Historic Landing at Talisay
The commemoration was held at the same coastal area in Talisay where American troops, alongside Filipino guerrillas, landed to help liberate Cebu from Japanese occupation.
Talisay became a key location in the Allied liberation campaign in Cebu in March 1945.
The landing was met with Japanese defenses, including minefields, but the operation eventually helped pave the way for the liberation of Cebu City on March 27, 1945.
Historical accounts record significant casualties during the fighting, including 410 Americans killed and 1,700 wounded, while around 8,000 were classified as non-battle casualties.
The scale of the losses underscored the enormous human cost of the campaign that eventually ended the Japanese occupation of Cebu.
From Remembrance to Responsibility
Baricuatro said the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom should prompt today’s generation to reflect on what it means to properly honor their legacy.
“Maong pangutana nato karon: unsaon nato paghatag og hustong bili sa ilang gihimo?” she asked.
For the governor, the answer cannot simply be found in annual commemorations.
She urged Cebuanos to demonstrate gratitude through unity, purposeful action and commitment to their communities.
“Dili lang pinaagi sa paghinumdom, kun dili pinaagi sa aksyon. We have to unite, live with purpose, and fight for what’s best for our communities and for Cebu,” she said.
The message connects the historical struggle for liberation with the responsibilities of citizens and government leaders today.
While the threats facing communities have changed, Baricuatro said the values of courage, solidarity and service remain relevant.
Freedom Must Be Protected
The governor also emphasized that freedom should not be treated as something permanently secured simply because it was won decades ago.
Instead, every generation has a responsibility to protect and uphold it.
“Because the true meaning of freedom is not just something we celebrate—it is something we protect, we live out, and we pass on,” she said.
The message placed the annual commemoration within a broader context: remembering history should help shape how communities respond to the challenges of the present.
For Cebu, that means strengthening civic unity, supporting community welfare and sustaining programs that contribute to peace and development.
Local and International Officials Join Commemoration
Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas and members of the city council welcomed Baricuatro during the ceremony.
The event was also attended by Japanese Consul-General Yudai Ueno and U.S. Consul General Glenn Ivan Loop, highlighting the continuing international significance of the historic events commemorated in Talisay.
First District Board Members Neneth Reluya and Antonio Bacaltos Jr. also joined the gathering.
The presence of representatives from the Philippines, Japan and the United States offered another dimension to the commemoration, bringing together communities and nations whose histories became intertwined during the war.
Keeping Cebu’s History Alive
The Takas sa Talisay Kagawasan sa Sugbo remains an important reminder of Cebu’s role in the liberation of the Philippines during World War II.
But the 81st commemoration also underscored a broader responsibility: ensuring that younger generations understand not only what happened, but why it mattered.
For Baricuatro, the best tribute to those who sacrificed for freedom is not merely to remember their names or the battles they fought.
It is to use the freedom they helped secure responsibly.
More than eight decades after the Talisay landing, the governor’s message was therefore both historical and forward-looking: remember the sacrifice, learn from it, unite as a community and turn freedom into purposeful action.
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