Dagupan City marked its Liberation Day on Thursday, January 15, 2026, commemorating the city’s freedom from Japanese occupation and the historic presence of General Douglas MacArthur during World War II.

The commemoration coincided with the 81st anniversary of MacArthur’s landing at Bonuan Blue Beach in January 1945. Local officials said this was the first time the city formally observed Dagupan Liberation Day as a separate historical milestone.

Historical records show that after landing in Bonuan, MacArthur and the Allied Forces of Filipino and American troops stayed at the Home Economics Building of West Central Elementary School 1, which was built in the 1930s. The structure is now known as the MacArthur Building.

Dagupan City consultant on arts and culture Rex Catubig said MacArthur planned to proceed to Dagupan initially but was forced to return to Bonuan due to damaged infrastructure.

“Ang timeline nito, January 9, nag-landing siya ng 2 o’clock. Pupunta sana sa Dagupan pero sira ‘yung tulay sa may Dawel area. So, bumalik siya. So, nag-stay pa siya sa USS Boise na naka-dock sa Bonuan,” he said.

Catubig said MacArthur later transferred the headquarters of the Allied Forces to Dagupan.

“On the 13th ng January, ilang days after ng landing niya, he moved the headquarters of the allied forces sa West Central Elementary School, sa HE building at doon sa katabing Gabaldon building then,” he added.

The MacArthur Building underwent rehabilitation from 2018 to 2020 under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in coordination with the Department of Education. Officials said the original structure was preserved, while unsafe portions were replaced. Inside the building, the room used by MacArthur and the bathtub he reportedly used remain intact.

January 15, 1945 marked the gathering of Dagupan residents to celebrate their liberation from Japanese forces, an event that Catubig said carried national significance.

“Hindi lang ito makasaysayan para sa Dagupan kundi sa buong bansa. Kasi ito ‘yung liberation of Luzon, dito nag-umpisa sa Pangasinan,” Catubig said.

“’Pag wala itong liberation na ito na nangyari, hindi tayo magkakaroon ng independence,” Catubig added.

He added that the city’s liberation helped pave the way for Dagupan to become a chartered city in 1947.

West Central Elementary School 1 Principal IV Dr. Renato Santillan said remembering these events helps educate the youth about freedom and sacrifice.

“Pag-recall at pag-alala sa kabayanihan ng mga Pilipino at Amerkano para ma-remind siyempre sa mga taga Dagupan na minsan ay nasakop tayo ng Hapon at napalaya ng mga Pilipino at Amerkano,” he said.

City officials said the commemoration aims to preserve Dagupan’s role in Philippine history and encourage younger generations to value the freedom they now enjoy.