Address: BHS Museum of History
No. 06, Rizal Ave. (MacArthur Hi-way),
Brgy. Lourdes, Bamban, Tarlac C2317 Philippines
Email: rhonie_bmbn@yahoo.com, rhonie_bamban1945@yahoo.com, rhonie.bmbn@gmail.com
Cell No. 0063-908-915-0686, 0063-922-280-1271
Last Updated: June 21, 2009

Saturday, September 20, 2008

RE-OPENING OF BAMBAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY


Rhonie Dela Cruz

After more than a year of extensive study and evaluation, the BHS Bamban Museum of History has been finally completed its first phase of renovation and was re-opened with new exhibits and memorial. The development of the museum which was first opened in September 2005 was initiated by both the Bamban Historical Society and its partner organization, the JCI Bamban Kayabe. Both members of the organization headed by Rhonie Dela Cruz conducted research subjects related to Bamban and its people and geography to complement the already existing exhibits. Some of the improvement are the following:

-New directional and sign boards.
-New painting scheme of the museum.
-Installation of tiled roof on the wall mural.
-Installation of ceiling fans inside the Macario Dela Cruz Hall.
-Installation of ceiling fan in the nipa hut.
-Erection of the 40th, 43rd, and 38th Division US Army Memorial for Bamban Campaign in WWII.
-Erection of the Lt. James H. Hart and S/Sgt. Eugene P. Zingheim Memorial (194th Tank Battalion, Squadron 101 Luzon Guerrilla Force)
-Erection of Bamban Battalion Bruce Guerrilla and Philippine Scouts Memorial of Bamban.
-The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Photo Mural consisting of two wall exhibits.
-Various additional WWII photo and Filipino-American War (1899) exhibits.

The additional improvements were carried out by both the organizations with the help of the family of Marshall and Joan Skiff of New York (formerly of the 38th Division US Army who fought in Bamban), and the Defenders Bataan and Corregidor through its founder; Col. Rafael Estrada (retired). However, majority of the funds (90 %) came from its president of both the organizations. Additional research materials were provided by Prof. Rico T. Jose; dean of History Department, University of the Philippines in Dilimian, Quezon City and Prof. Lino Dizon of the Center for Tarlaquenos Study, Tarlac State University in Tarlac, Tarlac. Large numbers of research materials were purchased from the United States and Japan consisting of war diaries and numerous books that are related to Bamban through the help of Karon Thomas (daughter of former Sgt. Guy Cumbo of the 40th Division who led the liberation of Bamban) and Romel Dela Cruz, the vice-president of BHS who is originally based in Yokohama, Japan. BHS/JCI Bamban Kayabe members provided the important role in field research and actual construction and renovations of the museum led by Romel Dela Cruz and assisted by Alex Narciso, Buddy Carino, Bill Asprec, Luisito Caguiat, Rey Ariston, Oliver Tuazon, Eugene Pineda, Jose Sibal, Noli Dizon, and Leonor Dela Cruz.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2008, the re-opening of the Bamban Museum of History was carried out with various delegations and visitors, led by Vice-Mayor Hon. Fred Lumboy. The family of Pvt. Melencio Figueroa (26th Cavalry, Philippine Scouts) was present to turn-over the medals of the veteran who died fighting in the beaches of Corregidor on April 1942. Simultaneously, the various memorials were dedicated as mentioned during the event. It was an historic moment! Though the museum is now open to the public, the historical society will continue to pursue further research for additional information and conduct field and site investigation for a continued and sustained development of the museum.

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