Most of the stories passed down to Ronald Belen from his grandfather, Capt. Vicente Belen, revolves around the journey of the latter in assisting General Douglas MacArthur and his team as they slipped out of Corregidor by PT boats in March 1942.
He flew to Australia to reach Melbourne, where he made his famous promise, “I shall return,” to the Filipino people. His grandfather served as an administrative officer, who was responsible for the food supply.
“Isa sa maganda sa kaniya ay natutunan namin ang pagiging brave niya… matapang, maginoo at magaling na leader,” he said.
Belen was inspired by his best traits as a leader and became more proud of him after decades, the US Congress awarded the medals to Filipino veterans during World War II (WWII).
Among the 42 veteran soldiers, Private Leopoldo Tabinga is the lone living veteran who received the award at the age of 101. The awarding ceremony on April 22,2025 at the Palawan provincial capitol also coincides with the 80th year of the Philippines’ liberation after WWII.
The medal represents the invaluable contribution of Filipino WWII veterans who “forged a powerful bond” between the United States and the Philippines, said Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Wing of the US Embassy to the Philippines.
“The two nations stood shoulder to shoulder and united for freedom,” he said.
The provincial government of Palawan also shared the same view on the sacrifices of the two nations during the war and underscored the need to advocate the history and truth to younger generations.
Chief of Staff Ceasar Sammy Magbanua recognized the bravery of veterans who “stood their ground in the darkness of Japanese occupation.”
The Office of the Civil Defense commits to continuously promote the welfare of the veterans for the rightful recognition of their efforts and sacrifices for the country.
“The peace and progress that we are relishing now are the result of your sacrifices during the tumultuous time. Achieving these recognitions, though meticulous, has been a rewarding journey,” said Department of National Defense Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo of Civil, Veteran, and Reserve Affairs.
One of the veterans’ descendants, Jane Timbancaya-Urbanek, said that she will remember that her forefather fought for democracy 80 years ago—and it is no different with the country’s fight for its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.
“It’s like a sentimental journey to something that happened 80 years ago. For today and the coming days, I think we should be determined to remember what our forefathers fought for, which is democracy,” she said. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
