Stories of courage during the country’s darkest hours returned to the forefront once more as the country marks the Philippine Veterans Week, which kicked off on Monday, April 6.

Among these narratives of defiance is Second Lieutenant Amparo F. Superiaso, who lived a life shaped by war, service, and quiet courage, which reflects a lesser-seen side of the Filipino struggle during World War II.

According to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Superiaso entered military service on June 15, 1943, at a time when the Philippines was under Japanese occupation.

Instead of taking up arms on the battlefield, she joined the resistance as an intelligence officer with the Mount Paete Patrol, a World War II guerrilla unit that operated under the Western Luzon Guerrilla Force (WLGF).

Under the command of Captain Angel Fontillas, Superiaso’s work demanded secrecy, discipline, and constant awareness.

She was assigned to Santa Rita Elementary School in Olongap City where she was tasked to “closely monitor the activities of local collaborators and enemy forces.”

While the setting seemed ordinary, Superiaso’s mission was not, since from there, she observed and gathered every movement and detail that could affect guerrilla operations. It was dangerous work and the discovery of her true identity could mean imprisonment or death.

As the tide of war shifted during the liberation of the Philippines from 1944 to 1945, her responsibilities expanded. She was attached to various United States Army units where she continued her intelligence role while also serving as a medical aide in station hospitals.

In that role, she cared for wounded and sick soldiers. It was a different kind of battlefield but just as demanding since she helped save lives at a time when medical resources were limited and conditions were harsh.

Her service ended on January 23, 1946 when she was reverted to inactive status. Like many veterans, she returned to civilian life without much public recognition.

There are few widely recorded details about her later years, which is often the case for guerrilla fighters whose contributions were not always fully documented.

But her story was among those highlighted by the PVAO and the Department of National Defense (DND) as they led the celebration of the Philippine Veterans Week from April 6 to 13.

Carrying the theme “Giting ng Bayani, Pamana sa Salinlahi,” the celebration kicked off with a Sunrise Ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. The theme “highlights how the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism demonstrated by Filipino veterans remain a lasting legacy for future generations,” according to PVAO.

The Sunrise Ceremony, an annual rite held at dawn to honor veterans who fell, is conceived to provide individual veterans the opportunity to honor their fallen heroes and comrades through the offering of 84 flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commanding general of the Philippine Army, served as the guest of honor and speaker during the ceremony and paid tribute to heroes of the past who offered the ultimate sacrifice to liberate the country from its oppressors.

“To our veterans, you have set a standard of service and patriotism that continues to guide the soldiers of the Philippine Army. Through your sacrifices, we now have the honor and privilege to serve and do our part not just today, but for the future,” he said.

The highlight of the Philippine Veterans Week will be on April 9 when the country marks Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to lead the commemorative rites at the Mount Samat National Shrine, which includes the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in honor of Filipino and American veterans who fought during the Second World War.

The DND and PVAO urged the public, especially the youth, to participate in a series of ceremonies, educational initiatives, and community activities that aim to pay tribute to the nation’s veterans.

Other major activities include the Joint Tribute to All Filipino Heroes and Paggunita sa Capas on April 10, at the Capas National Shrine, as well as the Sunset Ceremony on April 13, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which will feature a Eucharistic Mass and a reflection program where families of veterans will share stories honoring their loved ones’ courage and service.

Several ancillary activities will also take place to broaden public engagement including the screening of the documentary film Unsurrendered 3: The Koga Papers and the Cebu Guerrillas on April 8 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, and the fourth Araw ng Kagitingan Battle at the Fairway Golf Tournament on April 11 to 12.

Prior to the commemorative week, several promotional and outreach activities were conducted, including Freedom March 2026, participation in the 37th Bataan Memorial Death March in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States, as well as Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremonies honoring Filipino World War II veterans. Medical missions, agricultural training sessions, and Unified ID caravans were also held in Bukidnon, North Cotabato, and Maguindanao del Norte.