The spirit of Shields after a hundred years

A small group of Americans are quietly joining this year's commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Pulang Lupa. Led by Curtis Shepard who has put up a website devoted to old culture and history bits on Marinduque and its numerous battles with foreign invaders, this will be the first in a long time when such a special interest group of Americans will be joining the September 13 event as observers.

Coming as it does on the 100th death anniversary of Capt. Devereux Shields, the commander of the American force in Marinduque in 1900, he whose force was subdued by Filipino soldiers led by Col. Maximo Abad, the spirit of Shields (he faded away in 1910), will be one this time with those of many others from both sides who died in the battle.

Photo shows small American flags planted beside the picture of Shields in front of the mural that adorns the historical site, taken during an earlier visit by Shepard and his family at Pulang Lupa, Torrijos. One would expect future celebrations to be marked with the presence of similar flags of the two countries in the name of Peace, Freedom and Friendship.