80th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle For Manila

I chanced upon this incredible display at Greenhills Mall. It's a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle For Manila that happened towards the end of World War II, from February 3 to March 3, 1945. It was actually one of the most destructive battles in WWII, resulting in a death toll of 100,000 Filipino civilians (though some say it was even higher). As described in the exhibit description, it showcases photos taken by "the US Army Signal Corps, American and Filipino journalists, and amateur photographers who were there at the time or shortly thereafter."

80th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle For Manila

As I looked through the photos, I could see why Manila was one of the most devastated capital cities during WWII. The damage was massive.

Photos that show the destruction of Manila

Schools such as UST... 

UST

...and St. Scholastica's College were left in ruins.

St. Scholastica's College

While San Agustin Church in Intramuros remained standing despite some heavy damage,

San Agustin Church with a massive hole caused by a shell

the same couldn't be said for Manila Cathedral, which was left with only its facade and an adjacent wall while everything else was decimated.

Manila Cathedral

There are many more photos, along with captions and write-ups that share the story behind the photos and give us a better understanding of the gruesome history of the Battle for Manila. If you happen to visit Greenhills Mall, you may want to spend some time looking at the display and learning a bit more about our history.

Exhibit on the ground floor of Greenhills Mall

You can find this exhibit of the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle For Manila on the ground floor of Greenhills Mall, on a wall right next to Pancake House and near the South Wing Atrium. It is organized by The Ortigas Foundation Library.