Veterans Bank brings WWII exhibit to Davao

DAVAO CITY  May 29- A World War II exhibit featuring never-before seen photos, memorabilia and artifacts will be brought to Davao City from June to June 12.

Entitled "War of our Fathers." the exhibit to be mounted at SM City Davao Annex will feature 500 photos alongside memorabilia and vintage artifacts and will bring a glimpse of that bygone-era. The exhibit is mounted by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB).

"It's titled War of our Fathers since most of our fathers or grandfathers have lived or fought during that era." says Mike Villa-Real PVB vice-president for corporate communications.

Villa-Real said the exhibit will be bigger than the previous exhibits mounted by the bank and will feature newly found photos and historical artifacts.

"One of which is the letter of General Vicente Lim then chief of the Philippine Army which expresses his concerns over the large population of Japanese in Davao City, we would find out that his fears would come true." Villa-Real said.

The Japanese population in World War II would later serve as part of the advance party of the Japanese invaders.

Another highlight is the World War II images of the Davao Penal Colony (Dapecol) where American Prisoners-of-War (POW) from the Death March where brought. It was in Dapecol where 10 American POWs escaped, boarded a submarine to Australia and recounted the first eyewitness accounts of the Death March.

The exhibit will also put on display emergency currency issued by the Philippine Commonwealth, Villa-Real said that unlike the Japanese "Mickey Mouse" money, Commonwealth-issued notes were backed by real gold and could be exchanged according to their value during the war. He said that possession of these money could mean death if caught by the Japanese.

The exhibit will be held on Friday (June 1) at the SM City Davao where simple opening ceremonies will be graced by PVB officials, some World War II veterans and their families and City Government officials. It will be open to the public at no admission cost. (PIA/RG Alama)