Amid TCC leadership debate, Studes remain unfazed, brace for ‘Landing’ fete

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the controversy hounding Talisay City College, there is no stopping its students from participating in the Talisay Landing reenactment, a highlight at the Mar. 26 commemoration of the landing of American liberation forces during the Second World War.

The historic Talisay Landing happened on Mar. 26, 1945 when the American naval guns began pounding the beaches of Tangke, Talisay as a way of shackling down Japanese guns, pillboxes or machine gun nests.

City administrator John Yre de los Reyes said the landing, which took place 67 years ago, will be portrayed at the beach of Poblacion by TCC students and members of the Central Command.

"Gusto gyud ta nga daghang highlights kay mao ni premiro nga tuig nga pagselebrar ni Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes sa Takas sa Talisay," John Yre said, adding that more activities are lined up during the day, including a live band performance in the evening.

John Yre said that the renovation of the landing marker has also already started. The project, he said, will cost more or less P300,000.

Acting TCC president Ritchel Bacaltos said the celebration of the Talisay Landing has nothing to do with the controversy in the school. He said students are already busy preparing for the event.

Bacaltos said he would not deprive the students from joining the activity as he recognizes the impact of the celebration to the youth.

He said they wanted this event to be memorable, especially to those veterans who offered their lives in the hope of getting the country freed from the Japanese.

According to history, 410 Americans were killed in that battle, 1,700 were wounded and about 8,000 were classified as "non-battle casualties." Most of these casualties reportedly succumbed to an outbreak of hepatitis.

The Japanese forces, meanwhile, lost 5,500 men. The actual casualties of the Filipino guerillas and civilians were never determined, however.

It can be remembered that TCC has hogged the headlines recently because of the confusion on who between Dr. Paulus Cañete and Bacaltos should sit as the legitimate TCC head.

The mayor issued an executive order to install Cañete as officer-in-charge, but Bacaltos did not recognize the appointment as the school's Board of Trustees, according to him, was not convened to effect such a decision. (FREEMAN)