Manila American Cemetery's new visitor center now open in Taguig

A new visitor center was opened at the Manila  American Cemetery in Taguig City on Saturday to highlight the historical ties between the Philippines and the United States during World War II, according to the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).

“This center will tell the story of [the war for the Pacific] to generations of Filipino and Americans to come. One thing I’d like to emphasize is that Manila American Cemetery and the Visitor Center are free and open to the public," ABMC chief operating officer John Wessels said.

More than 17,000 fallen American and Filipino soldiers were laid to rest in this memorial park while the names of 36,000 missing troops were written on its walls.

The 11,000-square feet center houses an exhibit gallery and a theater.

Visitors may watch a 17-minute film which focuses on the sacrifices of the American and Filipino soldiers during the second world war.

The center's launch over the weekend coincided with the 75th anniversary of General Douglas McArthur's return to the Philippines.

The Manila American Cemetery is the largest of the 15 World War II cemeteries being managed by the ABMC outside the US. It covers around 61 hectares of land in Fort Bonifacio.

The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except December 25 and January 1.  A visitor just needs to present a valid photo ID to be able to enter. —Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News