Memorial to a Brave Son in Davao - Mindanao

Armando Generoso was a Davaoeno community leader who rose up to heroism when the Motherland needed sons to defend her from invaders. He was among the brave and fearless freedom fighters Davao produced in World War II. In his honor Davao City decided to put up a Memorial to a Brave Son.

Davao City was among the hardest hit by the Japanese Imperialist Army in World War II. Manila, the country’s main city, was declared an open city to avoid total devastation by the aggressive Japanese Army. But Davao City was ravaged by Japanese airstrikes and bombs. In this scenario the story of the Memorial to a Brave Son started.

Generoso grew up in the vicinities of the Bangerohan District, a hilly portion of Davao City. Penetrating this district is the Bangkerohan River (now Bolton) snaking past through it from the Davao Gulf. The river separates the city proper from southern districts like Matina Aplaya, Matina Crossing, Bucana, and Talomo, among others. A bridge here has the marker of the Memorial to a Brave Son.

The bridge, named after Governor Armando Generoso, connects Poblacion with Matina Aplaya, north and south respectively, by connecting Quezon and Quimpo Boulevards. At the bridge, Generoso died defending the territory to prevent the entry of the Japanese army to Davao City. At the place he died, the Memorial to a Brave Son is appropriately placed.

The Japanese army came from the waterfront of Davao City, probably at Talomo at the northern edge of Samal Island. Generoso and his team tried to thwart the advancing Japanese regiment from reaching the “kapitolyo” but the invader’s war machinery proved superior. He was overcome there; and Davao City, later recognizing the gallantry after the war, saw it fit to setup a Memorial to a Brave Son of Davao.

Today, the bridge, with the Memorial to a Brave Son, is among the oldest in Davao and needed repair in 2007. It is among major bridges that connect south to the northern districts where major government, educational, and commercial establishments are found.

The LTO, the Agro-Industrial Foundation College, and the Lion’s Multi-test and Medical Center are found near it. It is southwest of Davao City Hall. Another bridge, near the Bangkerohan Public Market and the University of Immaculate Concepcion, is a traffic route alternative.

Today, in times of crisis, Davao still has heroic but unsung sons and daughters rising up to the challenge—probably inspired by the Memorial to a Brave Son on Generoso Bridge.