BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The heroism of the Filipino World War II war veterans was recognized during the commemoration of the 79th Victory Day celebration at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center in Baguio City on September 3, 2024.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Regional Benefit Office Assistant Director Kevin McAllister representing US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson with Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator USec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, representing National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong led the awarding of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal to 44 Filipino WWII heroes and their families during the ceremony.
Of the 44 awardees, 11 are still alive, but Sergeant Eumelia Cacanindin who is 99 years old, was the only surviving veteran present during the ceremony and personally received her award.
Cacanidin joined the resistance movement and served with the Women’s Auxiliary Service (WAS), 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry, United States Army Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) as medical aide.
The gold medals of the other living veterans as well as the those who were posthumously awarded were received by their respective family members.
Filipinos who answered the call to military service during World War II are being honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded in the United States as expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.
The award honors Filipinos who fought with American troops from July 1941 until December 1946. Assistant Director McAllister thanked the Filipino war veterans for their heroism.
“Today we come together to celebrate honor and recognize our Filipino World War II veterans with this 34th US Congressional Gold Medal ceremony. I’m proud to stand here today and say, another group has earned and will forever be included upon this prestigious group, this Includes our Filipino World War II veterans,” McAllister said.
“To our Filipino World War II heroes, thank you, thank you, thank you to each one of you for your sacrifice to change not only my future, but help shape the world as we know it today. Maraming salamat po,” he added.
For his part, Magalong extended congratulations to the WWII heroes, the distinguished recipients of the US Congressional Gold Medal. He said that their acts of bravery and heroism remain as an inspiration to the Filipino people especially the youth today and the younger generation.
“Your relentless pursuit of excellence, courage and bravery are the legacies that will continue to inspire our youth today and our future generations. As we celebrate our achievements today, we also reflect on the enduring impact of our work that transformed the lives of those around us and of the Filipino people,” said Magalong.
USec. Mapagu rendered a snappy salute to the war veterans and delivered the message of Sec. Teodoro where he stressed the important role of Baguio City during WW II. He cited the most brutal war in the nation’s history started and ended in Baguio City.
“Baguio City, often referred to as the summer capital of the Philippines, played a pivotal role during the most brutal war in the nation’s history. This city received the opening salvo of Japanese bombings in the Philippines at the onset of World War II, and this city also witnessed the foremost surrender of Japanese forces in the Philippines, which ended the war in our motherland,” Mapagu said.
The World War II in the Philippines started with the bombing of the Camp John Hay in Baguio City hours after the Pearl Harbor bombing on December 8, 1941, by the Japanese Forces. It is also in Baguio where Japanese Imperial Army General Tomoyuki Yamashita signed the Instrument of Surrender on September 3, 1945 after being captured in Ifugao a day earlier (September 2) which led to the ending of the second world war in the Philippines which is being celebrated as the Victory Day (September 3) in Baguio City and the entire Filipino nation.
In her testimonial message, Baguio City Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda reminisced the heroism of her late father and war veteran Major Alfredo Fernandez Flores who was among the awardees during the ceremony. She thanked the US Government for the honor of receiving the US Congressional Gold Medal in behalf of her father and in behalf of the other awardees.
“Thank you for this honor. The US Congressional Gold Medal is a distinguished award where the United States recognizes, and we hope, the conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life. An award for the courage and valor of our veterans. We are definitely happy that the United States recognizes, all the relatedly, the courage and valor of our veterans. This award is very meaningful,” Tabanda said.
To pay tribute to the Filipino heroes who have sacrificed their lives during the war, tolling of the bell was led by retired Navy officer, PO2 Paul Pasigon, a descendant of Veteran Inyong Pasigon, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
The activity was also also joined by Veterans Federation of the Philippines Sons and Daughters Association, Inc. Executive Vice President and Philippine Veterans Bank First Vice President Miguel Angelo Villa-Real, Philippine Military Academy Assistant Superintendent Commodore Roger Viduya, other veterans of foreign wars, descendants and heirs of war veterans, representatives from other government agencies and offices, and other stakeholders. (RMC with PIA-CAR UPang Interns)
