This Week’s Milestones: March 18-24, 2018

March 19, 1945

Filipino guerrillas and American soldiers won the battle against the invading Japanese forces during World War II in a mountainous terrain called Bacsil Ridge in San Fernando City, La Union province. The battle site, located some 10 kilometers from the city proper, was the last bastion of the Japanese Army in the province. Barangay Bacsil was reclaimed on March 21, 1945, and then the town of San Fernando was liberated three days later. A symbolical marker and a monument were built to honor  the heroes of the war.

March 24, 1899

Revolutionary newspaper “Columnas Volantes de la Federacion Malaya” started its publication in Lipa City, Batangas province. The weekly newspaper was spearheaded by Gregorio Aguilera, a member of the Malolos Congress. Among its staff members is Fidel Reyes, author of “Aves de Rapiña (Birds of Prey),” who wrote and edited under the pseudonym “Fin de Siecle” and “Negro.” The paper folded after one year of operations.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, officialgazette.gov.ph, sanfernandocity.gov.ph, launion.gov.ph, lipatourism.wordpress.com, ligaocity.albay.gov.ph, Isabelo’s Archive by Resil B. Mojares