Apology Monument

While I said I have been to Calbayog City a number of times, this was the very first time I was setting foot at their city hall grounds, for I had no business being there.

After the city hall building itself, I walked towards that nearby big and old-looking house that's similar to a 'bahay-na-bato' of the past. And I saw something unique!

A monument/marker of an apology, if I may call it that. It has no faces nor human figures in and around it, which is why I think of it as a 'marker' than a 'monument'.

There are writings on the lower portion, and the message is OMG touching. In fact, I felt a lump in my throat while reading the message that comes in three languages – English, Japanese and Waray-waray.

It is an apology from the people of Kyoto City to the people of Samar for the invasion by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Whoa, this was the first time I saw any such an apology. Have you?

I looked around for someone who might be able to tell me more details about that monument. None. The few who I got to ask gave me just a shrug or told me they don't know much of Calbayog's History!

One even suggested that I go up to the Mayor's Office and ask there. With a smile, I said no thanks, for who am I anyway to bother the city's 'big boss' with such a petty inquiry. And, would they even know?!

But I had a bright idea! Still standing in front of the monument under the cool shade of a Talisay tree, I instead got my phone, went to google and typed these two words in the search box: Calbayog Kyoto.

Voila! I found a page that told me some details that I thought was enough so far. It's an article on the Kyoto Shimbun (Kyoto Newspaper) describing this thing as a "Monument of Apology and Friendship".

Hmm, so this monument is the first time the Japanese people have apologized for the war. Wow!

And why Kyoto? It says that, most of those who occupied Samar were from Fushimi-ku (Fushimi Ward).

Aw, the ceramic tiles, that I initially thought was a weird material to use for the “epitaph”, are actually made of Kiyomizu Ceramic. It's a product from Higayashima in the said prefecture. And, it's expensive!

I stood there a while, reflecting how difficult it must have been for them to swallow pride & dignity by apologizing as a people. Yep, collectively as the present citizens (circa 1995) of Kyoto City, in Japan.

The message? Very humbling. The English translation is harsher (to my ear) than the original Japanese words. But I think that is how it is in translation. Let me transribe that English version here for clarity:

To The People Of Samar

This monument is dedicated to the hapless
victims of Samar during the Second World War
by Japanese invation(sic).

Here in the Island of Samar, atrocities,
brutalities and human rights abuses were
inflicted by the Japanese Imperial Army
particularly coming from Kyoto.

By these presents, we heartily seek an apology
and wish to start a new, stronger and more
lasting friendship between the people of Calbayog
City and Samar and the people of Kyoto.

From the citizens of Kyoto City, Japan

What a brave act by the (present) people of Kyoto! It's not easy to apologize especially for something you did not personally commit, right? It was their foreparents that did it, yet they took responsibility as citizens of the present-day Kyoto. Indeed, they must be advocating peace in the global community.

Nice find! Something I can call a unique & memorable war-memorial.

Loitering Around Calbayog: Apology Monument

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