PVB WWII exhibit back in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - After touring various cities in Mindanao, the multi-awarded PVB World War II Traveling Exhibit is back again in Metro Manila at the lobby of the Department of Education Complex, Meralco Ave., Pasig City. The exhibit is open to the public until the end of April and is free of charge.

Titled War of Our Fathers, the exhibit has hundreds of vintage WWII photographs, artifacts and memorabilia on display. This is a joint project of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), the Department of Education (DepED) and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP).

The exhibit was opened in simple ceremonies last April 3 led by Education Asec. Elena Ruiz, representing Education Sec. Armin Luistro, Asec. Reynaldo Laguda, PVB president and CEO Ricardo Balbido Jr. and VFP secretary general Francisco San Miguel.

As the country prepares to commemorate the 70th year of the Fall of Bataan, now known as the Araw ng Kagitingan, it is sad to note that apart from the Death March and MacArthur’s “I shall return,” very few Filipinos know little about World War II in the Philippines.

“Unless something is done, the countless stories of valor and heroism by the ordinary people will be forgotten. There were teachers, workers, farmers, housewives. Ordinary Filipinos, who showed their countrymen and the world, that we are capable of extraordinary selflessness, sacrifice and courage when it comes to defending our country. This exhibit is our humble contribution towards that effort. It focuses on the stories of Filipino World War II heroes and survivors,” said Balbido.

The Veterans Bank exhibit has been to numerous sites all over the country by invitation, including to Nanjing, China, to help create awareness about the crucial role played by the Filipino freedom fighters in the last World War.

The world-class exhibit has also won numerous awards such as the prestigious Anvil Award of Excellence by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines and the Gold Quill Excellence Award by the IABC Philippines.