CONGRATULATIONS!!! KIANGAN NATIONAL SHRINE, Ifugao Province 2014 BEST SHRINE The surrender of Gen Yamashita on September 2, 1945 marks the end of World War II. Victory Day Celebration is held annually to commemorate the heroism of Filipinos and American soldiers. Yamashita’s surrender was one of a series of Philippine historical events that started with the Leyte Gulf Landing of the Allied forces on 20 October 1944 and led to the final surrender of Japan in World War II. Yamashita’s surrender in Kiangan took place simultaneously with Japan’s formal surrender to the Allied Supreme Commander in the Pacific, General of the Army Douglas McArthur aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on 02 September 1945. After his formal surrender in Kiangan, Yamashita was brought to Camp John Hay in Baguio City on 03 September 1945 for the signing of the Instrument of Surrender. An American military commission later tried Yamashita for brutal atrocities and other high crimes. He was subsequently sentenced to death and was hanged on 23 February 1946. On the 9th day of July 1975, a memorial has been erected as per Proclamation No. 1460 and was named “BANTAYOG SA KIANGAN”, the national government cognizant of the significance to Philippine history. The shrine marks the place where the “Tiger of Malaya” General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the highest commander of the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines, surrendered to the Fil-American Forces. Annually, the Victory Day of Gen Yamashita’s surrender is commemorated every 02 September. The shrine is a tall edifice rising sheer to the skies, its line reminding of the unique architectural designs of a native Ifugao house. At the top of the shrine is a viewing deck where visitors would be able to take a full view of the entire Kiangan Valley. The Military Shrines Service, now named as Veterans Memorial and Historical Division of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, started its operation and administration of the shrine on 16 October 1975. Despite located in a remote area with just a limited space, Kiangan National Shrine provides the following facilities: a. Administration Building b. Ceremonial Stage c. Guesthouse d. Picnic Houses/Gazebos e. Ifugao Museum f. Public Comfort Rooms Two (2) public comfort rooms located in strategic places which are well-maintained and can be used by tourists and other visitors of the shrine. For the past year, the total number of visitors at Kiangan National Shrine has increased from 9,557 in FY 2102 to 10,332 in FY 2013 and this Agency has received many positive comments from tourists visiting the shrine. The shrine is properly secured, its landscaped grounds are well-manicured and since its very soil is rich in natural resources, planting trees and flowering plants is never a problem. The shrine has a 24/7 water supply coming from spring water. Kiangan National Shrine also practices a Zero Waste Management Control. The wastes are well-segregated and other wastes such as dried leaves and grasses are made into compost materials. At present, Kiangan has only 2 permanent personnel augmented by 5 Contract of Service Personnel but the shrine remains well-maintained, tourist-friendly and never fails to amaze its visitors with its breath-taking view, relaxing ambiance and the feeling one gets of being close to nature. Kiangan National Shrine…a place where war ended and peace began.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 05:34:56 +0000
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