Ifugao town Peace Festival retraces fierce WW2 battle

HISTORICAL NOTES

Daniel B. Codamon

MAYOYAO, Ifugao -- This town celebrated its 5th “Lenong Ad Majawjaw”, also called Adventure for Peace Festival, August 9  to commemorate the fiercest battle fought in the Eastern Ifugao campaign during World War II.

Military, police and local officials, war veterans, delegates from all the municipalities of Ifugao, local and foreign tourists participated in the festival that started with a parade from the center barangay until the ridge of Mt. Nagchayan where the marker and monument was erected followed by the wreath laying ceremony, 21-gun salute, a program and the public viewing of a film and photos of WWII.

The Lenong festival was first celebrated in 2012 after the National Historical Institute of the Philippines installed and unveiled a marker at the ridge in Mt. Nagchayan of this town which is said to be the site of the fierce battle between the joint Filipino-American Liberation Forces and the Japanese Imperial soldiers.

Inscribed in the marker is the story that from July 13-August 9, 1945, 1,000 Japanese soldiers commanded by Gen. Toguzuma occupied Mayoyao and that 500 of their men were well-entrenched at the apex of Mt. Nagchayan.

On the other hand, the Liberation Forces composed of the 11th Infantry with elements of the 14th Infantry commanded by Lt. Col. Donald Balckburn were to dislodge the enemy from Mt. Nagchayan and after two weeks of continuous fighting, massive aerial bombing with incendiary bombs, Mt. Nagchayan was captured on August 8, 1945 and liberated on August 9, 1945 forcing Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita to surrender on September 2, 1945 thus ending WWII in the Philippines.

The commemoration of this historical war event is institutionalized through a municipal ordinance passed in 2011 establishing the “Lenong Ad Majawjaw” every August 9 of the year which is aimed at not only in commemorating the end of the battle but also to instill in the minds and hearts of the young generation the evils of war, lessons of history and the value of patriotism.

This is also to raise awareness to the people of Mayoyao the historical significance of the scenic Mt. Nagchaya which was the scene of the battle and a silent witness to the atrocities of war and the bravery of the men and women who fought and died so that we will have freedom.

Moreover, this would serve as a reminder to the present and future generation to come that eternal vigilance and the sacrifice of the most precious thing in life which is life itself is the price of freedom, to develop, promote and sustain the eco-tourism sites of the town and also to encourage and attract tourists to the municipality.