MANILA, Philippines -- A total
of 561 living World War II pensioners who have reached the age of 100 or over
are blessed to witness the 119th year anniversary celebration of Philippine
Independence or “Araw ng Kalayaan” on Monday.
Official records at the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) headed
by Defense Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina, show that the oldest pensioner
is 110-year old Paraula M. Saguilla, who was born on April 22, 1907.
The second oldest is Julita E. Layug, 109, followed by Rizalina A.
Claravall, 108.
There are four 107-year-old veterans: Rambi S. Paino, Calixta B.
Dumlao, Juliana Y. Jaen, and Ubaldo R. Abano.
Records also show that there are ten 106 years old, ten 105, fifteen
104, forty-six 103, seventy-eight 102, one hundred fifty six 101, and the
remaining 349 are 100 years old.
With their advancing age, they may not be able to join the parade or
attend official functions during the Independence celebration in their
respective towns or cities, but nonetheless, in the silence of their hearts
they will join the Filipino people in observing Philippine Independence Day
with fervor.
Of the 561 centenarian pensioners 173 are soldiers or guerrillas, who
saw action during the Second World War, fighting against the Japanese
occupational forces.
In his message on the occasion of the 119th Independence Day
celebration, Gen. Carolina, former Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) and commanding general of the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)
now Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM), cited the veterans for their vital
role “in strengthening our democracy towards genuine and meaningful change” in
the development of the country.
He said love of country is what the veterans taught the Filipino people
to emulate “as the foundation of our freedom which we enjoy today.”
Carolina also lauded the war veterans for their courage in defending
the nation in the most crucial time offering the ultimate sacrifice to preserve
the republic from foreign dominion.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Jose Maria G. Solquillo (Ret.), the Filipino
people should count our blessings God has given us over the years.
Solquillo, a veteran of the Mindanao war, called on the Filipinos to
unite to push the country forward to economic development and prosperity. (PNA) posted by Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News Philipines
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