ABOUT THE COVER Our veterans went through one of the darkest “chapters in world history for the benefit of our generation and generations after us. We must never forget that they endured a war for the sake of the future. We must remember we are the future that they fought for. They did not know me. They did not know my Produced by the family. They did not know all of us. But they died PVAO Public Affairs Office for us. - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the 75th Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan and Veterans’ Week Contributors: IN COMING UP with this issue, we found ourselves enumerating Arla E. Fontamillas stories of victory after another. Firstly, PVAO celebrated its 45th anniversary and renewed its partnership with its pension-servicing Denver A. Moreno banks. From an office that started out as simply administering pension Angela Kaye F. Crescini and benefits to war veterans, PVAO has now become an agency that better represents the nation’s gratitude to our freedom fighters. Beatriz Isabela G. Grimaldo Lanier Joshua C. Eval Meanwhile, the celebration of National Heroes’ Day recognized that AJ R. Francisco heroism is not a thing of the past. There are still brave Filipino men and women who live up to the ideals of valor in these modern times. Veterans Affairs Management Division Then there was the International Conference on World War II, which Veterans Memorial and Historical Division commemorated and acknowledged the huge contribution of the th Planning and Management Division Philippines in defending democracy 75 years ago. PVAO marks 45 Anniversary dedicates a low-key ceremony for Marawi recovery That the Filipinos won the freedom of the Philippines and the rest [ ARLA E. FONTAMILLAS ] of the Pacific whenever we celebrate the Victory in Kiangan on the th 2nd of September is mind-blowing for us. That Gen. Yamashita did PVAO Public Affairs Office he Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) celebrated its 45 anniversary on 25 September 2017 in a low-key but not surrender but was captured by Ilocano and Igorot guerilla fighters Office of the Administrator meaningful program with the theme, “Tagumpay na Nakamit, Ibalik ay Pagkalinga at Malasakit.” Guest of Honor undeniably transformed the way we see ourselves as Filipinos. T and Speaker, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, commended PVAO for its excellence in giving service and Landline: support to our veterans, including those who are currently fighting for our freedom, particularly in Marawi City. In all of these, we realized that our existence – the way we live and carry 02-9124526 / 02-9124728 out our daily duties – is greatly interwoven with the knowledge of the PVAO Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina appreciated the Outstanding PVAO employees, executives, and units were also victories of our forerunners. We always read and hear in messages Website: efforts of Pangkat PVAO and recognized that the agency is recognized during the program. These were: PVAO Baguio during historical commemoration that ‘we would not be enjoying the http://www.pvao.mil.ph founded as an expression of gratitude to the veterans who City Field Office (Best Field Service Extension Office (FSEO) freedom we have now if our ancestors had not done their part. So we defended our freedom and democracy. Thus, the victories Award); Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine (Best have to do ours.’ Email: PVAO has achieved over the years is only an extension of Shrine Unit); Ms. Sheryl D. Simeon, Veterans Assistance pvao. [email protected] & the victories won by our veterans. Officer II of Claims Division (PVAO Exemplary Employee); But we are always left wondering what those before us have done. [email protected] Ms. Carlota M. Pascual, Special Investigator III of Legal Affairs Division (PVAO Outstanding Employee); Ms. Olivia So, in this issue, we have tried our best to provide our readers with PVAO intentionally decided to forego the usual elaborate I-text si Administrator: C. Alejandrino, Supervising Assistance Officer of Veterans information that will encourage each of us ‘to do our part.’ We have celebration so it can save funds, which will be used to help PVAO<space>message send to 2920 Record Management Division (PVAO Exemplary Supervisor); exerted effort in giving names and faces to those who have contributed, the affected families and children of those who were killed- Mr. George A. Aranas, Special Investigator III of Legal Affairs in one way or another, to the victories we all now are benefitting from. in-action by the raging conflict in Marawi City. Financial Facebook: Division (PVAO Outstanding Supervisor); and BGen. Restituto Philippine Veterans Affairs Office assistance, through ceremonial turnover of checks worth Surely, there will be those who will remain unnamed and there will L. Aguilar AFP (Ret), Chief of Veterans Memorial and Historical P500, 000 each, was given to the Office of the Civil Defense be stories left untold. But we will still do our part anyway. After all, Division (PVAO Model Executive Award). Tune in to “VETERANS HOUR” radio program, (OCD) and the AFP Educational Benefit System Office these victories will only be meaningful if these are not just heard but 1-2 PM every Tuesday and Thursday at (AFPEBSO) during the austere ceremony. OCD Administrator more so, lived out. DWDD, 1134 kHz-AM or watch the real-time Also present in the occasion to show their support for PVAO and NDRRMC Executive Director Undersecretary Ricardo B. livestreaming at http://www.afpradio.ph were Undersecretary of National Defense (USND) Cardozo Cheers to more stories of victories that give life to one’s self and others. Jalad, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel - J1 MGen. M. Luna, PVAO Commission on Audit (COA) State Auditor Arnel M. Duco AFP received the checks on behalf of OCD Melinda S. Torio, and Civil Service Commission (CSC) DND PVAO Public Affairs Team SERBISYO SA BETERANO and AFPEBSO, respectively. Field Office Director Lucila M. Pagdanganan. 2 VOLUME 10 I ISSUE 3 SERBISYO SA BAYAN SEPTEMBER 2017 3 President Duterte on National Heroes’ Day: NHCP leads International Conference on the 75th year of WWII in the Philippines Let us emulate the patriotism of our heroes [ ANGELA KAYE F. CRESCINI ] [ LANIER JOSHUA C. EVAL ] he Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) joined the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the observance of the National Heroes’ Day on Local Historical Committees Network (LHCN), Holy Angel University and other public and private organizations in a 3-day international conference on the 75th Anniversary of the World War II in the Philippines held on 17- 28 August 2017 at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. With the theme, T 19 August 2017 at the Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga. P “Taong Bayan: Ang Bagong Bayani ng Bayan,” President Duterte encouraged With the theme, “Fighting for the Motherland: World War II in the Filipinos to have a strong sense of patriotism in these significant times in our country by Philippines and the Rise of the Resistance 1942 – 2017,” the event upholding the rule of law. was attended by history enthusiasts, students, and academicians from the Philippines and Asia. PVAO Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina spoke during the opening program and mentioned the agency’s Digitization Project, which aims to preserve the Philippine Collection manuscripts and other related World War II documents in the United States. With the able leadership of Ms. Maria Silva-Vallejo, one of the speakers in the plenary sessions, the “digitized” copies of these documents will be brought back to the Philippines and integrated into the proposed Philippine Center for World War II Studies in Mt. Samat National Shrine. Five World War II veterans were also recognized during the program namely: PFC Wenifredo C Crabajales PS (89 years old) who endured the Death March and survived the incarceration in Capas; Sgt Alfonso Gaza Inf (90 years old) who volunteered as Private at the Headquarters Command of the 2nd Battallion, 1st Regiment of the East Central Luzon Guerilla Area (ECLGA); Pvt Marcelo Y Ocampo (90 years old) who was part of ECLGA, which engaged Japanese troops in combat operations in Pampanga, until he became ill with malaria; Pvt Trinidad S Roque (93 years old) who saved lives and treated hundreds of wounded fighters; andSgt. Hermila G Ayson (95 years old) PHOTO COURTESY OF NHCP who enlisted as a Medical Aidman at the 2nd Medical Detachment, 2nd Battalion of the Northwest Pampanga Military District (NWPMD), ECLGA. “As we further our efforts to build a stronger, peaceful, and more secure nation, we count on our people to emulate the patriotism of our heroes so PVAO also took part in one of the related events of the conference called “Kwentong that we may all prevail against the looming threats of criminality, terrorism Bayani Series” with the theme “Lolo at Lola Beterano” hosted by Prof. Xiao Chua. and [illegal] drugs,” Pres. Duterte said. He praised the men and women This segment, led by Project Saysay, featured the narratives of three war heroes: who laid the foundations of the nation, by saying that “their courage, Pvt. Ocampo who was involved in the battles in the North against Gen. Yamashita; leadership, and wisdom paved the way for us to enjoy the blessings Pvt. Roque who served as a nurse to the guerillas, and; Sgt. Ayson who did laundry of freedom, independence, and democracy. They have dedicated their and cooking for her unit. It also highlighted the story of Jose Abad Santos through lives to ensure that future generations will have a life that is full and the accounts of Des Benipayo, who is a descendant of Jose Abad Santos, and Bani Logroño, who is a World War II film and documentary director.