(Feature) 3 oldest living WWII Filipino veterans to celebrate Veterans Week

From the Philippine News Agency (May 24): (Feature) 3 oldest living WWII Filipino veterans to celebrate Veterans Week

The three oldest living World War II Filipino veterans -- the eldest at 106, the second at 101 and the youngest at 99 years old -- continue enjoying life to the fullest in their waning years and always look forward for their monthly pension from the government.

Retired Col. Jose P. Javier, the oldest at 106 and a doctor by profession, survived the infamous Death March in Bataan in 1942 to tell the tale of his harrowing experience at the hands of the Japanese during World War II as if it was only yesterday.

Dr. Javier, who lives in Quezon City, is thankful to God for his long life full of action, especially during the war, during his captivity as a prisoner of war, during the liberation to date, content of serving the country in his younger years.

For Col. Javier, he attributed his survival during the war to prayers and faith in God.

The second oldest living war veteran is retired Sgt. Jose S. Quilatan, 101, who was formerly a member of the famed Hunter’s ROTC Guerrillas as a rifle man from 1942 until 1945.

Quilatan showed his combat capability, fighting the Japanese in various gun battles, eluding from being captured.

His Tiger Unit operated in Manila and nearby areas before moving to Southern Luzon where he saw action against the invading Japanese forces.

The third oldest living war veteran is 99-year-old retired Col. Vicente F. Alhambra, who volunteered as member of the famous Philippine Scouts during the war.

Defense Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina, administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), said he is always amused of Col. Alhambra who personally gets his monthly pension at the PVAO’s office.

“Col. Alhambra vividly recalls his experience during the war and a he's a jolly fellow,” Carolina said.

Despite his advancing age going to the century mark this July, “Col. Alhambra still remembers every detail of his experience during the war,” Carolina pointed out.

Every time he visits PVAO to get his pension, Alhambra likes to talk to PVAO employees, greeting and thanking them for the monthly pension he gets.

World War II veterans get a monthly pension of P5,000, plus P1,700 as Total Administrative Disability Pension.

Carolina said that the gallantry, heroism and sacrifices of World War II veterans “will serve as an inspiration to the youth of this generation, to love and serve the country and to fight for peace and freedom at all cost.”

On Wednesday, the Department of National Defense will lead in the celebration of the 74th Äraw ng Kagitingan to culminate the Philippine Veterans Week in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=888301