Mayoyao commemorates epic battle
2 MIN READ
www.nordis.net
By DAN B. CODAMON/JDP/DBC PIA-CAR, Ifugao
MAYOYAO, Ifugao — To commemorate the end of an epic battle that happened in a mountain ridge here during World War II between the Japanese soldiers and the combined forces of Filipino and American soldiers, the Sangguniang Bayan of this municipality passed an Ordinance declaring every August 9 of the year as a municipal holiday.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Letty Lim-ang, called An Ordinance Establishing ‘Lenong Ad Majawjaw-An Adventure for Peace Festival in the Municipality of Mayoyao came about after the first celebration of the historic event last August 8 to 9 when the National Historic Institute of the Philippines unveiled a marker in recognition of the said battle as part of Philippine history.
It was related and proven by the diary of American Lt. Col. Donald Blackburn and the book of Celedonio Ancheta on War History that indeed the Battle of Mayoyao Ridge (called Mt. Nagchajan by the Mayoyao people) happened and ended on August 9 where the Japanese suffered defeat and retreated from the area.
This eventually led to the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army Commander General Tomoyuki Yamashita on September 2, 1945 at the Municipality of Kiangan, ending WWII.
With this historic event, the declaration of August 9 as a municipal holiday and a festival to commemorate the end of the battle aims to raise the awareness of the Mayoyao people, especially the children, of the historical significance of Mt. Nagchajan, according to Lim-ang.
It also intends to instill in the minds and hearts of the young generation of the evils of war and lessons of history but above all, to give recognition to the efforts and sacrifices of the many Mayoyao people, Filipino and American soldiers, whose support greatly mattered during the said battle.
The Ordinance has been submitted to the Ifugao Sangguniang Panlalawigan for their final approval. # nordis.net
