Being born
here in Cotabato City I never expected to still have discovered new sites
relevant to the historical aspect. Many might have known about what my feature is but I am sure many more is eager to know Takumi Butai.
The Provincial Commander of the Japanese force assigned here in Cotabato, Takumi
died during the World War II and requested before he died that some of his
ashes be buried in the city. He
considered the city as his second home.
Years later a shrine commissioned by the
Cotabato government and the Lion's Club of Kyoto was erected, memorializing
Butai and the many deceased Japanese Soldiers. Japanese
nationals visit in homage to a local hero and relieve the memories of war during
the Japanese All Soul's Month in August.
Now Takumi
Butai Memorial Shrine might be one of the places we have forgotten. It was a discovery in my part since I haven’t
really thought nor read about it. I just happen to bump Mr. Boy Dimaandal after
taking photos of a famous and took me to the place.
The shrine is
located at
Varga Compound along San Sebastian Street, at the Cotabato Regional
Hospital, it is sad to note that just recently no more Japanese visitors came
to visit the shire unlike in the previous years.
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