Dedication of the 40th Division US Army at Grotto Hill, 2005

BHS Search for Remains of Japanese Soldiers, circa 2004.

Pilgrimage to Hill 1700, Circa February 2005.

BHS Exploration Team led by Romel Dela Cruz conducted a pilgrimage to the site of the flag raising in Hill 1700 (February 25, 1945) which the Aetas called Gusi Hill. This was the actual site where the three soldiers of Company D, 185th Infantry raised the Old Glory while there was still stiff fighting (actually it took the 185th 10 days of fierce combat against Japanese Naval Defense forces). The drama of the flag raising, in actual combat, was captured by the Signal Company of the 40th Division, US Army. A copy of the flag raising photo was already presented to the US Embassy in Manila and now a part of the exhibit inside the halls of the embassy. However, the three soldiers who took part in the event are still inknown up to this date. Efforts are already being made along with contacts in the U.S. to identify the three soldiers.

Ohnishi Shrine, 2001-2002

Ohnishi Shrine is dedicated to the airmen and aircrews of both the Amnericans and Japanese who died in air battle during WWII. The area was used to be the headquarters of Admiral Takijirio Ohnishi of the Japanese First Air Fleet and later of the Combined Naval Air Forces commanded by Admiral Fukutome; from November 1944 to January 11, 1945. It was researched by Rhonie Dela Cruz as to the authenticity of historical data and provided by aide of Ohnishi, Mr. Moji Chikanori, formerly a commander in rank in the Japanese Navy. The two tunnels, the headquarters of Ohnishi and Fukutome and the Communication Tunnel were located and identified. Lighting were provided and an exhibit was established inside the tunnels. The shrine is maintained by Mr. Dionisio Manipon who owns the land where the site is located.

Japan Research Mission, October 2000-2001

BHS President conducted a one-year research mission to Japan on the Japanese Study of WWII that will be used in publishing journals, books, and museum information. From October 2000 to October 2001, while working as a technical trainee for Philippine Shinei, the president conducted extensive interviews with Japanese survivors who were assigned in Bamban during WWII. Many visits were conducted with various veterans and pilots associations of WWIIwhich provided adequate materials consisting of diaries, maps, and photos of Bamban and Clark Field during the war. An unforgettable moment of this writer was his stay and numerous visits with Mr. Moji Chikanori. Mr. Chikanori was used to be the aide of Admiral Ohnishi of the famous father of the kamikaze. They stayed in the Combined Naval Air Forces at the Bamban tunnels in Asahiyama (present Rolling Hills, San Nicolas) from November 19, 1944 to January 10, 1945. Mr. Chikanori provided the complete information of the kamikaze and Admiral Ohnishi and their journey at Bamban. He died last August 16, 2008. Please pray for the repose of soul of Mr. Chikanor. -Rhonie-

Bamban WWII Peace Memorial, circa June 6, 2000

On the occasion of Bamban Day, BHS unveiled the Bamban WWII Peace Memorial dedicated to all the Filipinos, Americans, and Japanese who died in Bamban. It was situated on the top of the dike overlooking the Bamban River near the bridge. However, in 2003 at the height of a very strong typhoon, the memorial was toppled by the winds. Only the two stone are now left. Plans are on the way to move the memorial to the Bamban Museum of History.

BHS at Araw ng Kagitingan, Capas National Shrine, circa 2002

Bamban Airfield Memorial, October 25, 2001.

Japanese delegation for World Peace Program held their annual ceremony at the Bamban Airfield Memorial in Barrio Virgen Delos Remedios on October 25, 2001 with the BHS members, visitors, and local officials. Bhuddist Bishop Ekap Ikeguchi led the Japanese delegates. Bamban Airfield was one of the airfield component of Clark Air Center that was largely utilized by the Japanese 4th Air Army and the 1st and 2nd Air Fleet of the Navy in 1942-1945. It was also used as staging based of the special attack forces (kamikaze) of Air Group 206, 653 and Air Regiment 72 & 73. The last kamikaze sortie take-off was at Bamban Airfield on January 13, 1945 from the Air Regiment 73. The Japanese prayed for the repose of souls of all the Filipinos, Americans, and Japanese soldiers and airmen who died in Bamban during WWII.

BHS Tie-Up with International School, Manila

Students from International School located in Taguig City participated in the ICARE program aimed at helping recipients like the BHS Bamban Museum of History maintain and develop the museum in 2006. There were more than 40 students who participated in a three-day activities. Aside from the museum, the students from IS also participated in cleaning and clearing of memorials and markers

BHS Activities with US Memorial Day & US Embassy in Manila, 2005-2006

BHS activities related to the US commemoration of Memorial and Veterans Day in 2006. Also, BHS donated the photo frame of the Flag Raising at Hill 1700 (taken by the US Army 40th Div Signal Company during the battle of Hill 1700 at Gusi Hill, Bamban on February 25, 1945). The photo is now in the display inside the US Embassy in Manila. It was donated on May 27, 2005.

BHS First Project, The Bamban Airfield Memorial, circa October 25, 1999

The Founding of Bamban Historical Society

Bamban Historical Society was founded by the Dela Cruz brothers; the author and Romel in the house of Rufino Dela Cruz located on Block 94, Lot 19, Lourdes, Dapdap, Bamban, Tarlac on June 19, 2009. The inspiration to established the Bamban Historical Society came the writer, who resides in Angeles City, was on his way to Bamban with my wife. On the read near the former Mabalacat Airfield at barrio Cacutud, I saw a ceremony of the Japanese veterans and their families assisted with the local officials of Mabalacat and some Filipino friends. After watching the ceremony, I approach a friendly-looking guy, his name was Ged Dizon. Ged is the son of the famous Angeles WWII historian Daniel Dizon. Upon presenting myself that I am from Bamban, he told me; "nanau kayu! mas dakal ya kasaysayan ing balen yu dapat mag organize kayu batamung magconduct ceremony munaman. Sopan dakayu akung bala."

After that, I proceeded to my father's house in Dapdap and confer the message to my brother Romel and friends, Ramon Auditor. That was October 25, 1998. It took me several months of planning and convincing our friends in Bamban to get organize and involve in the historical and cultural development of our town. On June 19, 1999, in a small gathering at my father's house, I, my brother Romel, Ramon Auditor, and Efren Raagas formally declared the existence of Bamban Historical Society after I presented documents on its mission-vision, objectives, plan of organization, etc. In the days followed, more friends joined the organization. On October 25, 1999, the first project of the BHS was established; the Bamban Airfield Memorial located at barrio Virgen Delos Remedios. After this project, successive activities followed and the organization was recognised in the area and abroad as a dynamic oragnization in the fields of history and culture.