Eighty years ago the Leyte Gulf Landings—a land-sea operation even bigger than D-day in terms of the number of personnel involved—set the stage for the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation. The war in the Pacific, though often not acknowledged, had very real significance for Australia. On Saturday the Visayan Association of Australia held a commemoration at All Saints Catholic church hall in Liverpool. Those present included Philippine Consulate-General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil; Visayan Association of Australia President Jhun Salazar; Jojo Sebastian, who was emcee on the night; representatives of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration; Pet Storey from the American Legion Auxiliary; and Dr John Crozier. I also acknowledge Carol North-Samardzic for her star turn as General Macarthur and Father Ronny D'Cruz for representing the All Saints parish. Keeping this tradition alive is not only about honouring the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom but also about passing on the values of courage, unity and hope to future generations. We must ensure that the lessons of the past remain with us, guiding us towards a more peaceful future.