Philippine Department of Tourism, Page 2

Subic Bay was former the home for 50 years to the largest U.S. Navy Base outside the United States before it closed in 1992. It is now a bustling economic and commercial zone and resort. Clark Field was an American Air Base before and during World War II. After the Japanese occupation, it became Clark Field Concentration Camp and housed American prisoners of war who performed forced labor. After the devastating eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991, most of the base was damaged. It is presently undergoing massive renovation and construction and will soon have a modern international airport. A first-class hotel and golf resort receives visitors to the former air base.

General Douglas MacArthur returned here to recapture the Philippines. On the beach where he actually came ashore more than fifty years ago, statues replicate the landing. The entire beachhead is a memorial to this famous return. The fierce battle that ensued between the American landing forces and the Japanese defending forces exacted heavy losses on both sides.

This city is the former location of the Camp John Hay Air Base. This American base was used for rest and recreation. The pristine area served as the summer capital of the Philippines. During World War 11, the 32nd Army Division gave hot pursuit and subsequently defeated the Japanese Forces headed by General Homa, the brutal commander of the Japanese Invasion Forces. Baguio City has the Philippine Military Academy, patterned after the U.S. Army Academy at West Point.

The "Walled City Of Manila" as it was called during the Spanish era was also an historic site during World War II. The high thick walls that surrounded Manila helped delay the advances of the Japanese into the capital city. The magnificent walls that still stand at Fort Santiago are historic reminders of the past. Not far is historic Santo Tomas University where many U.S. civilians, including women, were incarcerated during the Japanese occupation of Manila.