On my recent trip to the Philippines, I paid my respects to members of the armed forces buried in the American National Cemetery in Manila. It was a moving and humbling experience.

The American National Cemetery and Memorial are located in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, just outside Manila proper, within the boundaries of the former Fort William McKinley.

We drove from Batangas with the sole purpose of seeing the cemetery and then I had lunch with an old friend afterward at Shangrila-La Hotel. It could be an easy drive if we went through Ayala Avenue in Makati and followed the direction on their website. But coming from the other direction, we made several turns and could not find the entrance. There were too many one-way streets and no left turns. Their website showed that if we went from Ayala Avenue in Makati, we could reach it via Epifaño de los…

Bayville Haunted St. Patrick Haunted Houses

March 17 & 18, Friday and Saturday

7:30 pm to 10 pm

Bayville Adventure Park

8 Bayville Ave., Bayville, NY

Bayville Haunted St. Patrick’s has 3 Haunted Houses. A St. Patrick’s themed house, St. Patrick’s at the Asylum, and the Leprechaun Fun House. The St. Patrick’s themed house has a secret Bar (separate admission).

For more info, visit www.bayvillehauntedsaintpatricks.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 19, Sunday

1 pm

Glen Cove St., Glen Cove, NY

The parade begins on Forest Avenue north of Dosoris Lane, goes to Brewster Street, turns slightly left onto School Street, turns left onto Glen Street, and ends at the corner of Glen Street and Pulaski Street.

For more info, visit www.glencoveparade.com.

After Parade Party

March 19, Sunday

2:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Metropolitan

3 Pratt Blvd.

Glen Cove, NY

There will be a fun and family-friendly After…

On December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal was executed by firing squad on grounds of treason by the Spaniards, which ignited the fire for the Philippine revolution against the Spanish Regime. He wrote this poem before his execution.

Spanish

English

“Mi último adiós” original version by José Rizal Adiós, Patria adorada, región del sol querida, Perla del mar de oriente, nuestro perdido Edén! A darte voy alegre la triste mustia vida, Y fuera más brillante, más fresca, más florida, También por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien. En campos de batalla, luchando con delirio, Otros te dan sus vidas sin dudas, sin pesar; El sitio nada importa, ciprés, laurel o lirio, Cadalso o campo abierto, combate o cruel martirio, Lo mismo es si lo piden la patria y el hogar. Yo muero cuando veo que el cielo se colora Y al fin anuncia el día tras lóbrego capuz; si…

On August 28, 1896, when the revolution against Spain broke out, Cavite became a bloody theater of war. Emilio Aguinaldo led the Caviteños on lightning raids on Spanish headquarters and soon liberated the entire province through the Battle of Alapan.

The rivalry between Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio became intense after a split in revolutionary ranks between factions loyal to one or the other. Bonifacio’s headquarters was at Imus and Aguinaldo’s at what is now General Trias.

After peacemaking efforts failed, the great revolutionary Andres Bonifacio, head of Katipunan, the armed revolutionary brotherhood against the Spaniards, and his brother were arrested by the Aguinaldo’s group and imprisoned in the church in Maragondon, then tried and condemned for sedition by a revolutionary military court. They were executed on nearby Mt. Buntis on May 11, 1897.

Long after the…

In 1869, the Spanish Cortes recognized individual freedom of expression, association, and worship, legalized civil marriage, and introduced the jury system. A wealthy liberal, Carlos Maria de la Torre, was sent to the Philippines as the new governor-general. Once installed, de la Torre banned flogging in the military, lifted restrictions on the press, public demonstrations, and forming of associations aimed at reform, etc. This behavior did not sit well with the long-time Spanish expatriates and clergy, who feared such a display of liberalism would entertain ideas of a free society.

Unfortunately, Amadeo of Savoy was installed as Spanish King, and de la Torre was recalled in 1871 and replaced by Rafael de Izquierdo, who promptly restored the restrictions. He also withdrew the exemption from tribute and forced labor (polos y servicios) that…

Due to its military importance, Cavite had been attacked by foreigners in their quest to conquer Manila and the Philippines.

In 1647, the Dutch made a surprise attack on the city, pounding the port incessantly, but were repulsed. At Sangley Point still stands the ruins of Porta Vaga Church which was destroyed during the attack. San Roque Church, near the ruins, houses Porta Vaga’s patron – a 17^th century painting of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.

During the 17^th century, Cavite City developed as a center for shipbuilding and naval operations. Giant molave trees from the forest around Paete were floated across Laguna de Bay, down the Pasig River, and across Manila Bay to Cavite, where many of the great Manila galleons were built.

When the Spaniards decided to withdraw…

Cavite province extends south of Manila along Manila Bay and includes Corregidor Island, and bounds the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas. The proximity of Manila provides a job and agricultural market, particularly for coastal residents. In 1954, Trece Martires City was created as a planned capital city from portions of Tanza, Indang, Naic, and General Trias. Despite the transfer of capital status to Imus in 1979, Trece Martires retains many offices of the provincial government, acting thus as the de facto capital and seat of the government of the province, although Imus is the official (de jure) capital.

Cavite takes its name from the Hispanicized form of kawit, or it may be an altered form of kalawit, Tagalog words for “hook”, in reference to the hook-shaped peninsula jutting out to Manila Bay. The name initially applied to the peninsula, Cavite…

By: Rosalinda Morgan

Author,Saving Wentworth Hall

Here are a few suggestions to stay healthy. I’ve been practicing healthy habits since I’m in my early 40s, and it shows because, at this last quarter stage of my life, I have no health issues and do not take any prescription drugs.

Dementia is one issue affecting the elderly. As you get old, you seem to forget things. Losing your keys is a minor sign, but if you keep forgetting something or forget what you said constantly, you should begin to worry. Walking, doing the crossword puzzle, cooking, and reading keep your brain active. I read a lot, write quite a bit, and am an editor of two quarterly newsletters. Exercise or any physical activity will increase your brain’s protective proteins and lower your risk of developing dementia. I also take time to garden – taking care of my 60 roses and…

In June 1940, with World War II on the horizon, the U.S. Army solicited bids from 135 automakers for a 1/4 ton “light reconnaissance vehicle” tailored to Army specifications. Only three companies responded — Bantam, Willys, and Ford — but, within a year’s time they collectively produced the template for the vehicle known worldwide as the “jeep”.

Willys-Overland delivered the prototype “Quad” (named for the 4×4 system it featured), to the U.S. Army on Armistice Day (Veteran’s Day), November of 1940. The design was completed in a remarkable 75 days.

During the ensuing years, from WWII to Vietnam, the Angels made use of this historic vehicle in training, combat and occupation duty. From Toccoa to Tokyo, Fort Campbell to Korea, Germany and Fort Benning, the 11th Airborne’s troopers drove, stole, and maneuvered the Jeep through some of the toughest conditions possible.

They came to respect the Jeep as no other…

With the war going on in Ukraine, I thought of the war in the Philippines when I was a baby. War is a terrible thing, and in memory of my parent’s 79th wedding anniversary, I’m reposting this story of how Dad’s decision saved our lives from the massacre. Otherwise, my three brothers and I won’t be here today. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! Love you both and miss you every day!

I sent this story four years ago to a fellow blogger, GPCox, who blogs about WWII in the Pacific at https://PacificParatrooper.wordpress.com. It is an excerpt from my book, BAHALA NA, Come What May. If you’re a fan of WWII Pacific Theatre, go and visit Pacific Paratrooper and say hello to GP.

Thank you.

My father told me this story of what happened…