Filipino students from various levels, joined the Embassy’s commemoration of Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) on 05 October 2022 in a 45-minute guided tour of the Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra. The AWM showcases Australia’s different collections depicting its history and contribution in defending peace during World War I and II including the liberation of the Philippines.

A highlight of the tour is a collection of General Douglas MacArthur’s memorabilia. General MacArthur escaped from Japanese-occupied Philippines to Terowie, Australia where he famously declared “I shall return” in 1942. The Philippines and Australia share a long history of defense and security cooperation dating back to World War II. In line with the MGM theme of “Embracing Uncertainty: Showcasing Solidarity, Hope and Recovery,” the Embassy endeavored to demonstrate to young Filipinos the importance of international cooperation in addressing shared challenges and how governments and countries rise from tragedies.