Renowned as the home of the breathtaking, world-famous Rice Terraces—an iconic marvel recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the province of Ifugao boasts a landscape sculpted by generations of indigenous farmers. Beyond its natural beauty and cultural heritage, the Ifugao also bears historical significance, having silently witnessed the dramatic final chapters of the Second World War, which concluded 80 years ago.
Ifugao Victory Day (1): A Japanese soldier historical reenactor hands over a millitary saber to General Romeo Brawner Jr. and Ifugao governor Jerry Dalipog as a symbolic sign of surrender at the commemorative program.
On September 2, 1945, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, commander of the Imperial Japanese Army’s 14th Area Army, formally surrendered to American forces in the aftermath of World War II. The surrender took place in Kiangan, a remote town in Ifugao province, deep in the rugged mountains of northern Luzon, Philippines. After months of relentless Allied offensives, General Yamashita and his troops—who had retreated from Manila—were relentlessly pursued by a combined force of Filipino guerrilla fighters and American soldiers.
Ifugao Victory Day (2): General Romeo Brawner Jr, Kiangan Mayor Raldis Andrei Bulayungan, Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog, and PVAO Deputy Administrator Domingo Carbonell Jr. Lead the Tayao Ifugao Community Dance.
Suffering shortages of food, ammunition, and medical supplies, Yamashita’s forces endured constant attacks and were forced into increasingly desperate defensive positions. Filipino guerrillas played a crucial role by launching persistent raids, blocking escape routes, and cutting off supplies, making it nearly impossible for the Japanese to regroup or counterattack. Recognizing the futility of further resistance following Japan’s official capitulation on August 15, 1945, and with his position untenable, General Yamashita formally surrendered to representatives of the United States Army at a section of the Philippine Military Academy in Kiangan. His surrender marked the effective end of Japanese military resistance in the Philippines, closing a significant chapter in the Pacific War.
Ifugao Victory Day (3): General Romeo Brawner Jr, and Philippine Army 5th Infantry Division commander Maj Gen Gulliver Señires lead the wreath-laying ceremony at the Kiangan Shrine.
To commemorate the historic surrender of Japanese forces that marked the end of World War II in the Philippines, the Province of Ifugao and the Municipality of Kiangan, in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, recently hosted the 80th Victory Day celebration. This annual event honors Filipino and Allied soldiers’ bravery and memorializes the significant role Kiangan played in the country’s liberation.
The two-day commemorative event, themed “Saluting the Guardians of Valor, Saluting Their Valor,” took place at the World War II National Shrine in Kiangan, Ifugao, which is maintained by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). This memorial honors the courageous Filipino soldiers who fought to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation during World War II.
Ifugao Victory Day (4) The newly-restored Home Economics Building of the Kiangan Central School, now the Peace Museum, where Yamashita surrendered.
The Victory Day program featured several key ceremonies, including the traditional wreath-laying and military honors, presided over by guest of honor and speaker, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. The event concluded with a 21-gun salute, paying tribute to the fallen heroes of the war.
In his keynote address, Brawner emphasized that the observance serves as a dual purpose: it not only commemorates the remarkable courage and sacrifices exhibited by our ancestors who fought bravely for the nation’s freedom during World War II but also underscores our enduring commitment to the pursuit of peace, especially as we continue to navigate ongoing territorial disputes in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Ifugao governor Jerry Dalipog offered heartfelt recognition to several key towns in Ifugao province that played pivotal roles in the concluding stages of the war. He highlighted Mayoyao, which was the site of the last major battle in the region before the Japanese surrender; Hungduan, whose rugged mountains provided refuge to Japanese soldiers making their final stand; as well as Banaue and Lagawe, which both served as crucial processing centers for prisoners of war as the conflict drew to a close.
A special tribute during the program was given to Pedro Indunan, who at 112 years old, is one of the province’s few living World War II veterans. His presence was a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit and resilience of those who fought for the country’s liberation.
Another highlight of the observance was the inauguration of the newly-restored Peace Museum, formerly the Home Economics Building of Kiangan Central School—the historic site where Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita and his staff surrendered to the Allied forces on September 2, 1945, effectively ending World War II in the Philippines. The restoration of the school building was headed by the Kiangan municipal government, with support from local volunteers, and is now supervised by the National Museum – Ifugao.
The museum showcases vintage photographs, war relics, and memorabilia unearthed from battle sites around Kiangan, as well as original audio-visual equipment and a collection of historical documents related to the Japanese occupation and the surrender. Its exhibits continue to expand, aiming to preserve and educate future generations about the pivotal moments of wartime history in the region.
112-year old World War 2 Veteran Pedro Indunan Sr.
A unique feature of this year’s commemorative program was a symbolic reenactment: a historical reenactor, representing World War II Japanese forces, ceremonially turned over a military sword to Philippine Army Chief Romeo Brawner Jr. and Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog, symbolizing Yamashita’s surrender. This event was staged by the Republica Filipina Reenactment Group, whose members were transported to the venue by Coda Lines bus company.
Adding vibrancy to the commemorative event was a rich socio-civic and cultural program, which highlighted performances by dancers from the Ifugao Intangible Heritage Performing Arts Society, a group dedicated to preserving and showcasing Ifugao traditional dances and rituals. The event also included Veterans Night, honoring military servicemen and women, as well as organizational activities coordinated by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).
General Tomoyuki Yamashita, known as the “Tiger of Malaya” for his successful military campaigns in Southeast Asia during World War II, was subsequently brought by Allied Forces to the US High Commissioner’s Residence at Camp John Hay in Baguio City. There, on September 3, 1945, he formally signed the instruments of surrender, marking the official end of Japanese occupation in the Philippines and contributing to the conclusion of World War II in the Pacific.
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