Enriching Viewpoint : Camp John Hay – Historical Figures Totem Pole

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Enriching Viewpoint (Post#2) :  Camp John Hay – Historical Figures Totem Pole

The Totem Pole consist of historical figures which has influence or roles for Philippines and US military relations which happened during the first half of 20th Century. We found this totem just beside the Bell House which was a historical site within Camp John Hay in Baguio City. Photo snapshots last May 2010.

From the excerpts beside the totem the following information are found regarding the faces in the totem from top to bottom:

1. Admiral George Dewey whom led Battle of Manila Bay
2. General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first President of Republic of the Philippines
3. President William Howard Taft whom the first governor-general of the Philippines and later the Secretary of War who took great interest in the development of Baguio City and Camp John Hay
4. Secretary John Hay was Secretary of State when the Philippines became of colony of the United States. He died as the construction of the camp named in his honour went into full gear.
5. William Cameron Forbes was a governor-general of the Philippines who is credited with the development of Baguio City
6. President Theodore Roosevelt signed the order that designed 535 acres as the military reservation that became Camp John Hay.
7. Major General Franklin Bell was commander of the Philippine department and designer of Italian Garden as well as Bell House and Amphitheater.
8. Lt Col Lyman W. Kennon oversaw the completion of the road that facilitated the construction and development of Baguio City and Camp John Hay which just so happens to be named Kennon Road.
9. Mayor James Halsema was the last American mayor of Baguio City.
10. General Douglas MacAuthur was the famous liberator of the Philippines during WWII.

 

Enriching Viewpoint : General Douglas MacArthur Room

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Enriching Viewpoint (Post#1) : General Douglas MacArthur Room

When I did the two days visit in Brisbane during Open House season in the city last October 2013, there was a museum that I never expected that it will be familiar to me. Yes I went to MacArthur Museum but I never thought that the name of MacArthur will be the same person that I was familiar back to my country’s history. During rudimentary and intermediate school, I learned about the notable quote that American General made during Japanese invasion and I am referring to General MacArthur whom announced to the Filipino and Allied forces “I came through and I shall return” during his great escape from Philippines as Japanese forces able to control the country during that time. Since I learned the history quite a long time ago, I was reminded or probably learned that MacArthur went to Australia after leaving Philippines to think again how to retaliate the enemy which made him able to come back to my country and able conquer Japanese forces.