THE city of Manila commemorated the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Manila on Tuesday, reflecting on the resilience of the city and its people.
Fought from Feb. 3 to March 3, 1945, the Battle of Manila marked the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation, where over 100,000 civilians died, and the city was left in ruins.
The extent of destruction was compared to that in Warsaw, Poland, making Manila one of the most devastated cities in World War II.
During the commemoration, a wreath-laying ceremony took place at St. Paul’s University (SPU), led by Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno.
In his keynote address, Moreno highlighted the importance of remembering the past, not to reopen wounds, but to guide future generations toward learning.
“We gather today, not only to remember a day in history, but to stand on sacred ground. A place that sheltered civilians during the darkest days of the Battle of Manila,” Moreno said.
Sister Ma. Evangeline Anastacio, president of St. Paul University Manila, emphasized the school's importance during the war.
“Erected in 1927, destroyed during the war, and restored after 1945, it stands as a silent witness to history. This chapel reminds us of the human cost of war and the enduring call to remember,” she said.
The commemoration also brought together government officials, diplomats and veterans.
“Freedom is not free. These veterans paid — most of them — the ultimate price of our independence and freedom that we enjoy today,” the mayor said.
He said that the city’s recovery after the war remains a defining lesson for the present, stressing that the rebuilding of Manila was a collective effort, involving not just one sector or institution but the entire community.
“From the ravages of war, Manila rose. Resilience is not forgetting the pain. It is choosing to rebuild, despite the pain. Not to reopen wounds but to learn to hear and to choose peace,” he said.
