Description of the attraction
MacArthur Park, also known as the Leyte Island Landing Memorial, is one of the most popular tourist attractions not only in Leyte, but throughout the Philippine Archipelago. It was here, on Red Beach in the town of Palo, not far from the major port of Tacloban, that American General Douglas MacArthur, led by US-Philippine troops, landed in 1944 to begin the liberation of the country from Japanese invaders. Today, bronze statues of one and a half human height stand on this site, depicting the famous general, President of the Philippines Sergio Osmenio and the Philippine general Carlos Romulo.
Interesting fact: Red Beach - Red - is not called that because of the natural color of the sand, it is rather brown here. The name in this case means "red with blood", because it was in Leyte Gulf that the largest naval battle in modern human history took place.
When, as a result of Japanese attacks on the Philippines, General MacArthur was forced to leave the country, he uttered the iconic phrase - "I will return." The general kept his word. Today is the historic day of October 20, 1944 - the day of the landing on Leyte Island of the allied forces - immortalized in the memorial. From here began the liberation of the Philippines. Every year on this day, flowers are laid at the memorial, which means that the people remember their heroes. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the historic event, a decorative rock garden was laid out around the memorial with a view of Leyte Bay and Samar Island, which was named the Garden of Peace.
