Manila American Cemetery

Introduction

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is the biggest American overseas military cemetery outside of the United States and is located at the heart of Bonifacio Global City in the Philippines. It is considered one of the most important historical sites in the Philippines. It has a size of 152 acres or 615,122 square meters on a remarkably large plateau with a breathtaking view of the Taguig City skyline. Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is the final resting place of more than 17,000 American servicemen and women from the year 1941 up to 1945. Most lost their lives in the Philippines and New Guinea during the second world war with over a dozen campaigns across the Pacific region represented here. In twenty instances, two brothers lie side by side. Among the war dead are twenty-nine Medal of Honor recipients memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and over 500 Philippine Scouts who served with their American comrades in the Philippines are buried here.

According to its history, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial was established in the year 1948 after the devastating second world war. The Republic of the Philippines granted use of the land in perpetuity and the American Battle Monuments Commission which is a United States government agency honors the services, the achievements, and the sacrifices for the better world by more than seventeen thousand American heroes who died during World War 2. It is a perpetual reminder of who they were and what they did when freedom hung in the balance. So if you are in Metro Manila and you want to go somewhere green to escape the craziness of the city, this is the place to go. It’s a fifteen minute walk from the kind of nightlife spots in BGC and you should definitely visit this place even if you’re not an American because it touches the heart and soul.

Name: Manila American Cemetery
Location: BGC, Taguig, Philippines
Features: beautiful and historical American military cemetery

My trip to Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

For the past few days, I was so bored in the house because it’s raining all the time. So when it became a sunny day I decided to have a walking trip in BGC. After one hour of exploring the Bonifacio Global City, I found myself at the very grand entrance area of the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. I got curious about the cemetery grounds and I left my one valid ID to the security guard and after that I started roaming around. A few minutes later, it came to my mind that this is one of the destinations we went to when we went on a field trip during my high school days.

Then I was struck by the enormity of the place from higher vantage points. I get an idea of just how many graves are contained within this cemetery and memorial. Also the place is overwhelming and all-pervading sense of peace and calm that seems initially incongruous for a place of such dramatic proportions and history.

thousands of white crosses lined up inside the Manila American Cemetery

As I continue to walk, I noticed that the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is extremely well kept and with beautiful old trees everywhere with a backdrop of beautiful skyline of BGC. It feels very serene. Then every time I turn a corner there’s another forest of crosses lined up and each crosses are made of marble. From my perspective, Manila American Cemetery is very akin to the Arlington National Cemetery in United States. The crosses just go all the way around the grassy hill and they go right their way around in a big circle. Also every square inch of this place has gotten attention. The moment I look at the space in between the white crosses, there’s probably only about four foot of space in between every single white cross.

A lot of these crosses are named “Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God”. Indeed, it’s a place of quiet reflection and solemn remembrance as I walk along the rows of white crosses and stars of David. For this reason, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and sadness not sure if it’s because of the time of day that I’ve come here. I’m the only person here which is quite like I don’t even know how to describe it as an experience to be around this cemetery, it’s quite a unique experience. To be honest, this is insane. Metro Manila has population of around 13 million people, and yet I’m here all by myself. Nonetheless, I don’t feel irreverent at all even though I’m all alone in this massive cemetery.

Then if I look in between the crosses that are symbolizing, remembering and honoring the fallen comrades it is absolutely just crazy because the grass is like perfectly cut and immaculate and neat. As a simple man living in the Philippines, it’s easy to forget about the country’s painful history but places like this remind us of the sacrifices made by the people who came before us and the struggles they endured.

As I reach the center of the cemetery, I saw a massive columns or big walls also known as the “Tablets of the Missing” inscribed with the names of astonishing 36,000 people whose bodies haven’t been found following their service or missing in action. They were on ships, they were on aircraft that went down and there remains were basically lost at sea. Then as I observe more, I found out that not only are the names of the missing servicemen listed here but also their rank and their home state in United States.

It’s absolutely incredible the sheer scale of the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. I’m just in awe. As a matter of fact, its not just American soldiers who are buried here, there are also soldiers from the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. Without a doubt, it served as a reminder that the war is a global tragedy that affects people from all walks of life. For this reason, I felt obliged to play a very small part in raising awareness of this cemetery and the improbable sacrifice of those that are buried here and those with their names on the wall that were never found. They came from far away and right next door. They left behind their families, their jobs, their schools and their hometowns to become soldiers, airmen, marines, sailors, and coast guardsmen and set sail for distant battlefields.

As I continued to walk on the other side, I can see the wall that reads “Included on these rolls are the names of Philippine Scouts who shared with their American comrades in the defense and liberation of the Philippines”. Also, I can see a commemorative plaque that reads “In proud remembrance of the achievements of her sons and in humble tribute to their sacrifices. This memorial has been erected by the United States of America”. Furthermore, I can see a plaque that reads “Here are recorded the names of Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who sleep in unknown graves”.

Then I noticed that the infographics on the wall and murals are actually stunning. In four map rooms, 25 impressive mosaic maps recalls the campaigns and achievements of American armed forces in the Southwest Pacific, China, and Burma theaters. Without a doubt, the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial tell an epic story of sacrifice and valor in the service of liberty. Also it tells the story of the cruel warfare and conditions experienced by the Allied forces in the vast Pacific theater. What a way to portray the information about the complexity of the war. Just to see the sheer scale of what was happening all the different landmasses who were involved and how many sheer volume of people were involved. It was such an eye-opening experience coming here.

Then a few minutes later, I went inside the small museum at the back of Manila American Cemetery and Memorial and I can see a lettering that reads “Dear Son, Another week has gone and still no word from you. We hope you have a few letters on the way to us”. Meanwhile, on the other side of the museum, I can see the lettering that reads “We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand of overwhelming power on the other”. Overall the museum was nice and very well done. It’s really fascinating reading all the information and stuff inside the museum.

After a while, I can see the big tower or chapel which is a beautiful artwork. The chapel stands at the center of the burial grounds. On the face of the chapel, a large sculpture of St. George battles the dragon. Inside a stunning blue-glass mosaic behind the altar depicts a Madonna offering flowers to the honored dead. Also there is a lettering that reads “To their memory their country brings its gratitude as flowers forever living”.

Then as I continue to explore the enormous cemetery, I discern that most of the soldiers buried here is overwhelmingly predominantly young men who were killed in the prime of their life defending our principles, our countries and our futures. Indeed, it was really quite touching and emotional because this is something that happened before I was born. In my opinion, how different would the world be today or how different life would be if these courageous people hadn’t put their lives on the line and defended our country, we were now growing up under the Japanese imperial army and the Nazism. To be honest, I just have this overwhelming feeling and I feel incredibly grateful to be born in this era because if I was born at the beginning of the twentieth century it was a completely different life. I’m actually out of words. This place makes me feel quiet now. I stayed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial for one hour and thirty minutes.

A massive thank you to whoever is involved in maintaining this unfathomable place as they did an amazing job (the enormous amount of respect). The amount of effort that must have been put into building this place is absolutely mind-boggling. I definitely enjoyed my walk here. To be honest, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is the most beautiful memorial and cemetery I’ve ever personally been to in my entire lifespan of existing. In my opinion, every American should visit this place when they visit the Philippines.

How to Go to Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

By private car

Option 1:

Open your Google Maps or Waze app on your smartphone and pin the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
From RCBC Plaza in Ayala Avenue, drive you car along the Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue or Buendia Avenue and afterward take the Kalayaan Flyover going to Bonifacio Global City and then later alight at the Bonifacio Avenue. From there walk for a few minutes going to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

Option 2:

From Makati Shangri-La, drive your car across Ayala Avenue and McKinley Road.
Then continue driving along the McKinley Parkway until you reach the Central Bark BGC. From there, walk your way towards the Manila American Cemetery.

Reminders and Tips:

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is open daily to the public from 9 am in the morning up to 5 pm in the afternoon. Note: the cemetery is closed during Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.