Guerrilla Raid on Talisayan

22 March 1945

One of the most unusual guerrilla operations in the Philippines during World War II was the guerrilla raid on Talisayan, Misamis Oriental, which was conducted with the assistance of the US Navy to eliminate and wipe out the Japanese garrisoned at this key objective.

Amphibious in nature, the operation involved guerrilla units of the 110th Infantry Division, 110th Division United States Forces in the Philippines (USFIP) with an original strength of 200 men but which rose to 350 when a call for volunteers was issued.… Continue reading... “Guerrilla Raid on Talisayan”

Honoring Kagay-anon Patriots of World War II

Memorial Day in the Philippines

On May 25, 2020, the United States celebrates Memorial Day, a federal holiday dedicated to honoring and mourning military personnel who had died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Previously observed on May 30, it has been officially moved to the last Monday of May since 1971, purportedly to allow people to enjoy a long weekend (sounds familiar?).… Continue reading... “Honoring Kagay-anon Patriots of World War II”

Life During Wartime

75th Cagayan Liberation Feature

When Cagayan de Oro had to mark the 75th Anniversary of its Liberation from Imperial Japan on May 12, 2020 behind closed doors, it recalled a similar situation when everyone’s freedom of movement was drastically curtailed by the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945.

The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) imposed tight restrictions on travel between towns and travelers had to provide “passes” similar to the Barangay Exit Pass permits only one person to step outside a residence for essential errands like medicines, foods and the like.… Continue reading... “Life During Wartime”

The Tagoloan-Bugo Operations 27 April -09 May 1945

Prelude to Cagayan’s Liberation

(We are presenting the following story of the prelude to the Liberation of Cagayan, Misamis on 12 May 1945, in commemoration of its 75th Anniversary so we can remember those who sacrificed and paid the ultimate sacrifice that we may enjoy freedom as a democratic republic. Mabuhay!)  … Continue reading... “The Tagoloan-Bugo Operations 27 April -09 May 1945”

Antonio Julian Montalvan: The Forgotten World War II Martyr of Cagayan

75th Cagayan Liberation Anniversary Feature Story

One of the perpendicular streets which links Burgos to Don Apolinar Velez streets in Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines is named  Montalvan  but few of those traversing it or even living along it have any idea whom it is named after. [5]

The young Antonio Julian Montalvan with his father.
… Continue reading... “Antonio Julian Montalvan: The Forgotten World War II Martyr of Cagayan”

75th Cagayan Liberation Anniversary Feature – Maj. Jose Manuel Corrales Montalvan, 1st Camp Commander of the‘Kampo’

 Few Kagay-anons today are aware that the first camp commander of the Philippine Army’s biggest military camp in Mindanao was a Lumad (native Kagay-anon).

1st Lt. Jose Manuel Corrales Montalvan as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve in 1928 (Montalvan Family Archives)

Major Jose Manuel Corrales Montalvan was initially assigned as Cadre Commander of the 2nd Misamis Oriental (Machine Gun) Cadre at Camp Bulua (present day Camp Edilberto Evangelista) in Cagayan, a post he served in from January 1-Dec.… Continue reading... “75th Cagayan Liberation Anniversary Feature – Maj. Jose Manuel Corrales Montalvan, 1st Camp Commander of the‘Kampo’”

Captain Andres Bacal : Cagayan’s Forgotten War Hero

My interest in our local world war history started six years ago. But studying it with the absence of written primary sources compounded with the dying population of veterans was a hard task to do.

Our local historians were silent about it perhaps because word-of-mouth and pass down stories were hard to validate without written primary sources.

… Continue reading... “Captain Andres Bacal : Cagayan’s Forgotten War Hero”

May 12, 2020 – 75th Anniversary of Cagayan de Oro’s Liberation during WW2

May 12, 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of what was then known as Cagayan (or Cagayan de Misamis to the older folks) from the Japanese Empire during World War II.

US Army forces conducting clearing operations against Japanese troops at the Sayre Highway, Bukidnon.

Unfortunately, due to restrictions enforced by the city government according to the IATF general community quarantine guidelines, no public ceremonies are still allowed to mark this milestone in our local history.… Continue reading... “May 12, 2020 – 75th Anniversary of Cagayan de Oro’s Liberation during WW2”

DA-10 brings Kadiwa on Wheels to Oro barangays

Elson Jalapong, a sari-sari store owner in Barangay 23 is thankful to the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) for bringing the Kadiwa Market direct to their barangay.

A Sari Sari store owner thanks DA RFO-X for bringing the Kadiwa on Wheels to Barangay 23 (Tom Udasco Photography)

Since the city-wide implementation of the community quarantine, his family has been making do with little income to provide for their daily needs.… Continue reading... “DA-10 brings Kadiwa on Wheels to Oro barangays”

Local inventor rolls out green disinfection innovations vs. COVID-19

There’s no stopping the Magus of the Seven Seas, Cagayan de Oro’s Pride and representative to the Parthenon of game changing inventors like Nikola Tesla and Thomas Alva Edison.

The younger generation knows Engr. Elpidio M. Paras better as the man behind two of the region’s most popular tourist attractions, Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and the Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort at Opol, Misamis Oriental.… Continue reading... “Local inventor rolls out green disinfection innovations vs. COVID-19”