Remedios Hospital Bombing and the Final Act for Liberation
77 years ago, one of the most significant events in the history of Malate Catholic School occurred - The Remedios Hospital Bombing. We briefly recall the importance of the event.
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Written by Justin Rivera
Photos from the 2020 Commemoration of the Bombing of the Remedios Hospital taken by previous photojournalists of the Clarionette
Posted on February 14, 2022 | 4:15 PM
The Remedios Hospital Bombing, which has been a part of our nation's history, is being remembered for the 77th year. The liberation of Manila, a historical event that devastated several areas of Manila, happened when American forces fought to clear the Japanese forces and free the Philippines from the Japanese occupation. It is no secret that Malate Catholic School was turned into a hospital run by the Philippine Red Cross which later on continued by the priests and volunteers after the former had closed up its hospitals at the peak of fighting.
Malate Catholic School stores this pivotal moment in our history up to the present day. The establishment was formerly known as the Remedios Hospital which sheltered the injured and affected by World War II and was staffed by student volunteers from local schools.
Friendly fire kills over 400 Filipino and American refugees at the Remedios Hospital. Malate residents are also killed, amounting to a thousand.
Maria Orosa too was caught in the battle after she risked her life to feed Filipino and American war prisoners. She was rushed into the Remedios Hospital moments before it was bombed after being pierced by a bomb shrapnel in the Bureau of Plant Industries.
All of these occurred at the agonizing climax of the World War II, which resulted in the deaths of 100,000 people who were shelled, bombed, and shrapneled. In spite of the fact that screams and woes were lurking around every corner, many still had the bravery to stay behind in the hospital to provide medical assistance with the injured.
Moreover, this battle exemplifies war's true destructive and aimless impact, both on the environment and on the people caught in the crossfires.
Its significance is still felt today, and forgetting about it would be a crime against those who fought and demonstrated courage, as well as against the historic feat of our liberation. Our unnamed heroes conveyed their message that no matter how small or large one's contribution is, when done and acted upon collectively, it will definitely have a massive impact.
Finally, Malate Catholic School, once converted into Remedios Hospital, stands as a hallowed ground for the brave men and women who gave their lives, either as innocent victims and/or unsung heroes, for the peace and freedom that we and the future generations would relish.