"As mandated by Republic Act 8491, the flag and heraldic code of the Philippines, the Philippine Flag shall be permanently hoisted on this site 24/7 throughout the year and shall be illuminated at night."
My quest in searching for the graves of the great men continues (♪♫Indiana Jones Music♫♪). This time, my wandering feet brought me to the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery) in Taguig City. Buried there are the war veterans, two Philippine Presidents, people with Medal of Valor, AFP Chiefs of Staff, and many more who died nobly.
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| Landmark of the Libingan ng mga Bayani |
If you're kuripot like me, and you're coming from Manila, you can set a P20 budget for this trip. I rode the PNR train again, from Sta. Mesa to Nichols, the ticket costs P10 only. Ride the train again back to Sta. Mesa to make your budget for this LNMB trip only P20. However, you will have to walk a little more than 2km(x2) from the train station to the LNMB, and vice versa via Diego Silang street. If you can't afford to walk, trikes are stationed at the kanto of Diego Silang street.
When I reached the place, a military man asked my purpose. I told him that I'm a tourist and will just take some pictures of the presidents' grave. He then asked me to go to the administrator's office first and ask for permission. I signed a log book, showed my ID and I'm free to go.
Two black stone walls with the quote “I do not know the dignity of his birth but I do know the glory of his death,” welcomed me. Those words came from Gen. Douglas MacArthur on his visit in 1960 to pay respects to his fallen WW2 comrades.
The whole cemetery is divided into several sections: Presidents Section, WW2 Veterans Section, AFP Personnel Section, Medal of Valor Section, AFP Chief of Staff Section, Generals/Flag Officers Section, Government Dignitary Statesmen Section. At the very center of the cemetery is the marble tomb of the unknown hero, with a Philippine Flag forever raised and from there I met a number of different heroes' grave.
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| Tomb of the Unknown Hero at the heart of the cemetery |
Section A - Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines
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| President Carlos Garcia (1957-1961), 4th President of the Third Republic of the Philippines, famous for his "Filipino First" policy. |
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| Memorial Garden of President Diosdado Macapagal |
When I first entered President Macapagal's Memorial Garden, I was not able to find his grave there. Not until I entered it for the second time after 20 minutes. His grave marker lies at the floor level, it is not so noticeable. I was standing at his grave marker that's why I didn't find it.
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| President Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965), the poor man from Lubao, Pampanga. Father of the former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He's famous for his Land Reform efforts. |
Section B - Government Dignitary Statesmen
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| Carlos P. Romulo, a great Philippine Diplomat, served 8 Philippine Presidents from MLQ to FRM, author of "I am a Filipino" |
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| Arturo M. Tolentino, former vice president to Ferdinand Marcos |
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| A fine-looking bench, with engraved writings. |
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| Former Chief Justice Fred Castro (1976-1979) |
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| Former Chief Justice Enrique Fernando (1979-1985) |
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| The controversial General Angelo Reyes, former AFP Chief, Cabinet Member of President GMA |
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| Maximo Soliven, a journalist, co-founder of Philippine Star |
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| General Arturo Enrile, former AFP Chief and DOTC secretary under President FVR |
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| Senator Blas Ople, former Senate President (1999-2000), Secretary of Labor under President Marcos |
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| Vice President Salvador "Doy" Laurel (1986-1992), son of President Jose P. Laurel |
I roamed around the other sections of the cemetery and I saw the following graves.
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| National Artist for Visual Arts Guillermo Tolentino, a sculptor. Among his works are the UP Oblation and Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan. |
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| Marble crosses at the AFP personnel section |
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| Fallen crosses |
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| General Artemio Ricarte, hailed by the AFP as the "Father of the Philippine Army" |
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| National Artist for Music, Levi Celerio. The man who can produce music from a leaf. A great composer too. |
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| Photo taken with the help of the V-shaped tree. :) |
Also found at the cemetery are four memorial pylons dedicated to four great military efforts of the Philippines.
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| Vietnam War Veterans Pylon |
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| Korean War Veterans Pylon |
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| Bataan and Corregidor Defenders Pylon |
The fourth one is the Philippine World War II Guerilla Pylon, which I forgot to capture.
Before I left at around 3:55 PM, I entered a masukal na place, thinking that I could make a short cut out of the cemetery. But that was a wrong move, a lot of small black flying bugs attacked me. Good thing they don't bite me.
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| Libingan ng mga Bayani Landmark |
At 3:55 PM, I signed out at their log book.
Lessons Learned:
#1 Sumakay na lang ng tricycle, imbes na maglakad ng 4 na kilometro kung may pera naman.
#2 Gamitin ang main gate upang hindi atakihin ng mga insekto.
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we've only been to the American cemetery. (http://www.lakwatserangbayong.com/2011/02/my-philippines-manila-american-cemetery.html)
ReplyDeleteMust make time for this when these probinsyanang lakwatseras get to visit the city aka Manila.
@Kim/MJ.. i've been to American Cemetery before (Grade 1 field trip) I can still remember the marble walls with engraved names ata yun.
ReplyDeleteoh btw, thanks for dropping by..
hey man, this is such an awesome post. this place looks so serene and i reckon would be an inspiring place to go to. Very clever idea! I like this!
ReplyDeletesir jerik.. tama po, very peaceful yung place..presko din kasi mahangin.... wag ka lan pupunta dun sa masukal na place malapit sa Vietnam War Pylon.. maraming insect na aatake. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks , Ivan, for the "lessons learned". Natawa ako. And yes, will use the tricycle. =)
ReplyDelete@life, good. haha.. wag nyo po ako gayahin..
ReplyDeletei've been planning to take a look din inside the cemetery pero i was hesitant.. as in, pede tlga pumasok even if ang purpose is only to take pictures?
ReplyDeletei do not know the dignity of his birth..
ReplyDeleteBut i do know the glory of his death..
for my Beloved grandfather Atty. Epifanio Sacote Diadula (Ret. Maj. P.A)
kung pabalik na from lnmb main gate, may tricycle ba pabalik sa lawton ave., frontong namria?
ReplyDeleteI noticed the new look on Carlos P. Garcia's gravesite at the cemetery, was that recently renovated or something ?
ReplyDeleteThis cemetery is open to all visitors seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. entry pass is needed. A holding place has been allotted at the visitor’s Building located in front of the Heroes’ Memorial Gate for inquiries and assistance.
ReplyDeleteFor further information and queries
GSU Office can be reached through cp no 09186780480 smart, Bontex 845-95-55 local 4316
email add: gsuascompa@yahoo.com.ph
facebook acc: Gsu ascompa (Libingan Ng Mga Bayani)
I like this post, I only saw the main gate of LNMB last summer when our uber driver took a diff route. When I saw the trees outside Wooaahhh it's so beautiful, kinda romantic XD. I hope i can visit it before this year end.
ReplyDelete