Public servants, war veterans, students, and guests gathered this afternoon to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Dagupan’s Liberation and the Bonuan Blue Beach landing of General Douglas MacArthur, a pivotal moment in the 1945 Luzon campaign that helped turn the tide toward freedom.
A key highlight of the program was the message of Mike Villa-Real, first vice president for Marketing and Corporate Communications of the Philippine Veterans Bank, who reinforced the importance of historical accuracy. He emphasized that the landing at Bonuan Blue Beach holds real and documented significance within the broader Lingayen Gulf landings, underscoring the responsibility to preserve truthful narratives in honoring veterans and educating future generations.
The commemoration, held at the Home Economics Building of West Central I Elementary School, was led by Mayor Belen T Fernandez, together with Vice Mayor Dean Bryan L Kua, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, DepEd Dagupan led by Dr. Rowena Banzon, West 1 Princial Dr. Renato Santillan, barangay officials, youth leaders, and partner institutions.
The program culminated in the ribbon cutting and guided walkthrough of the MacArthur exhibit, where participants examined archival materials and visual narratives that document Dagupan’s role in the 1945 Luzon landings.
The exhibit provided historical context and reaffirmed the city’s place within the broader national story of liberation, remembrance, and collective memory.
