War veteran celebrates his 100th birthday with VP Duterte
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Published Jul 11, 2023 01:32 am
Vice President Sara Duterte graced the 100th birthday celebration of war veteran Teofilo Gamutan, whom she called a “patriot” and whose sacrifices she honored.
Vice President Sara Duterte (right) graces the 100th birthday celebration of war veteran Teofilo Adag Gamutan held in Davao City (Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
The official was the guest of honor during Gamutan’s 100th birthday celebration at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City on Monday night, July 10.
She also posted about it on Facebook, and included several photos with the birthday celebrant and his family.
In her birthday message, Duterte said Gamutan’s “service during World War II will never be forgotten.”
“I am here to honor a patriot. To celebrate the life of a man whose sacrifices, selflessness, and love of our country brought us our freedom as a country and sharpened our values as a nation that cradled noble heroes,” she said before Gamutan’s families, friends, and co-veterans.
“We look at you today, and we can sense the bravery of your soul and the pride in your heart as someone who fought for the Philippines,” Duterte added.
Gamutan, fondly called Lolo Filo, is also the oldest of the four remaining war veterans of Davao City.
She said that through Lolo Filo, she learned a lot about her late grandfather, former governor Vicente Duterte, who died 10 years before her birth.
“Through the stories of Sir Teofilo, nakilala ko ang Lolo Vicente ko (I’ve known my Lolo Vicente),” she told the audience.
The Vice President also attended Gamutan’s previous birthday celebrations, including last year’s when the war hero advised Duterte not to fight with anyone as the secret to living a long life.
In her post, Duterte said it was an honor for her to be part of Gamutan’s celebration, and thanked his family and loved ones for allowing her to be there.
“Huwag sana nating kalimutan ang mga taong katulad ni Sir Teofilo na larawan ng katatagan, katapangan, at tunay na pagmamahal sa ating bayan (May we not forget people like Sir Teofilo, who is a picture of courage, and true love for our country),” she wrote.
According to Duterte, Gamutan was the commanding officer of the Headquarters Company of the 84th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army Reserve in Bohol during the World War II.
He is the oldest among the four war veterans living in Davao City.
Vice President Sara Duterte (right) graces the 100th birthday celebration of war veteran Teofilo Adag Gamutan held in Davao City (Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
The official was the guest of honor during Gamutan’s 100th birthday celebration at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City on Monday night, July 10.
She also posted about it on Facebook, and included several photos with the birthday celebrant and his family.
In her birthday message, Duterte said Gamutan’s “service during World War II will never be forgotten.”
“I am here to honor a patriot. To celebrate the life of a man whose sacrifices, selflessness, and love of our country brought us our freedom as a country and sharpened our values as a nation that cradled noble heroes,” she said before Gamutan’s families, friends, and co-veterans.
“We look at you today, and we can sense the bravery of your soul and the pride in your heart as someone who fought for the Philippines,” Duterte added.
Gamutan, fondly called Lolo Filo, is also the oldest of the four remaining war veterans of Davao City.
She said that through Lolo Filo, she learned a lot about her late grandfather, former governor Vicente Duterte, who died 10 years before her birth.
“Through the stories of Sir Teofilo, nakilala ko ang Lolo Vicente ko (I’ve known my Lolo Vicente),” she told the audience.
The Vice President also attended Gamutan’s previous birthday celebrations, including last year’s when the war hero advised Duterte not to fight with anyone as the secret to living a long life.
In her post, Duterte said it was an honor for her to be part of Gamutan’s celebration, and thanked his family and loved ones for allowing her to be there.
“Huwag sana nating kalimutan ang mga taong katulad ni Sir Teofilo na larawan ng katatagan, katapangan, at tunay na pagmamahal sa ating bayan (May we not forget people like Sir Teofilo, who is a picture of courage, and true love for our country),” she wrote.
According to Duterte, Gamutan was the commanding officer of the Headquarters Company of the 84th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army Reserve in Bohol during the World War II.
He is the oldest among the four war veterans living in Davao City.