Soul Waves/Our World-Tuesday

In a small corner of Rizal Park stands "Soul Waves", sculptural waves crafted from stainless steel, a memorial erected in 2010 by the Korean community in the Philippines to remember their loved ones who perished in World War II.  Soul Waves also symbolize the sacred shores of both Korea and the Philippines and the joint efforts of both countries to protect its shores.  

Beside the Soul Waves is the Filipino-Korean Soldier Monument---a fitting tribute to Filipino soldiers who fought side by side with the Korean soldiers during the Korean War (1950-1953).  About 7,500 combat troops known as the Philippines Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK), the 4th largest force under the United Nations command, were sent to defend South Korea from a communist invasion by North Korea which was supported by China and the Soviet Union.

Recently, North Korea declares war with South Korea and the US, and as tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula, let's all hope that cooler heads would prevail.  An estimated 4 million people were killed during the Korean War.  

Today, April 9th, we commemorate the "Day of Valor" in the Philippines, also known as Bataan and Corregidor Day, the Fall of Bataan during World War II.   

"What a cruel thing is war:  to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world." 

~ Robert E. Lee, letter to his wife, 1864

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Memorare-Manila 1945/OWT

We were walking towards the Manila Cathedral at dusk when I noticed this moving monument at Plazuela de Santa Isabel along Calle Anda in Intramuros.  I came closer to read what was etched on the black granite.

Memorare - Manila 1945

This memorial is dedicated to those innocent victims of war. Many of whom went nameless and unknown to a common grave, or never even knew a grave at all.  Their bodies have been consumed by fire or crushed to dust beneath the rubble of ruins.

Let this monument be the gravestone for each and everyone of the over 100,000 men, women, children and infants killed in Manila during its battle Liberation, February 3 - March 3, 1945.  We have not forgotten them, nor shall we ever forget.

May they rest in peace as part now of the sacred ground of this city, the Manila of our affections.

The inscription on the marker reads:  

This monument is erected in memory of the more than 100,000 defenseless civilians who were killed during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila between February 3 and March 3,1945. They were mainly victims of heinous acts perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Forces and the casualties of the heavy artillery barrage by the American Forces. The Battle for Manila at the end of World War II was one of the most brutal episode in the history of Asia and the Pacific. The non-combatant victims of that tragic battle will remain forever in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people.

I hope these young girls playing by the monument would learn the lessons in history, keep them alive and not take for granted the innocent lives lost from the battle to liberate their hometown 67 years ago.

A monument dedicated to non-combatant victims of the last war erected in 1995.

 Linking to Our World-Tuesday