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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 47 World War II veterans honored with US Congressional Gold Medal in Muntinlupa

47 World War II veterans honored with US Congressional Gold Medal in Muntinlupa

Published Aug 4, 2026 10:33 am
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Photo from Mayor Biazon's Facebook account)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Photo from Mayor Biazon's Facebook account)
Forty-seven Filipino World War II veterans were conferred the US Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony held in Muntinlupa City.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon hosted the awarding ceremony at the Museo ng Muntinlupa.
“Ito ang pinakamataas na civilian honor mula sa U.S. Congress. So aside from their pension, our veterans are also given this tribute dahil sa kanilang kabayanihan (This is the highest civilian honor from the US Congress. So aside from their pension, our veterans are also given this tribute for their heroism),” he said.
The ceremony was attended by Lt. Col. Roy Stone, chief of staff of the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group to the Philippines (JUSMAG-PHIL), and Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino of the Department of National Defense.
They were joined by Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi, Usec. Reynaldo Mapagu of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), and Krista Staley, assistant veterans service center manager of the Manila Regional Benefits Office of the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

The forty-seven posthumous awardees included Lieutenant Colonel Iluminado G. Vallejo Sr., Lieutenant Colonel Vicente O. Novales, Lieutenant Colonel Luis D. Vinoya, First Lieutenant Benjamin B. Gloria, Second Lieutenant Arsenio F. Librado Sr., Second Lieutenant Desiderio D. Malabuen, Second Lieutenant Francisco S. De Guzman, Master Sergeant Gregorio C. Nolasco, Master Sergeant Juan R. Peñamante, Technical Sergeant Pascual M. Tampil, Technical Sergeant Francisco D. De Leon, Staff Sergeant Alfredo F. Del Monte Sr., Sergeant Celso A. Escosia, Sergeant Manuel G. Abundancia Sr., Sergeant Marcelo S. Encarnacion, Sergeant Canuto G. Argame, Sergeant Victor S. Santos, Sergeant Victorio D. Montillano, and Sergeant Juan B. Gacutan.

They also included Corporal Sisenando E. De Castro, Corporal Sinfroso M. Pili, Corporal Glicerio R. Revillame, Corporal Jesus H. Gegato, Corporal Maximo E. Formaran, Corporal Damian P. Ogoc, Corporal Florentino D. Vargas, Private First Class Candido A. Luna, Private First Class Leopoldo V. Salavante, Private First Class Pedro R. Magbanua, Private First Class Regalado C. Ruiz, Private First Class Felix U. Castro, Private First Class Patrocinio G. Viñalon, Private First Class Severino A. Gasmin Sr., Private First Class Felicitos A. Lubrio, and Private First Class Bayani V. Gutierrez.

Other honorees were Private Paulo P. Damasco, Private Joaquin T. Taleon, Private Miguel P. Lopena, Private Tagumpay M. Villadolid, Private Romualdo N. Villanueva, Private Mariano N. Millama, Private Santos G. Orellana, Private Emeterio B. Pacate, Private Sixto M. Garbo, Private Uliran A. Ortiz, Private Igmedio V. Paliok, and Private Mamerto R. Pagkalinawan.

Stone said the US Congressional Gold Medal is a profound expression of America’s gratitude to Filipino World War II veterans for their courage, sacrifice, and service.
Speaking on behalf of the veterans’ families, Gerrovi Hernandez Argana, granddaughter of World War II veteran Candido A. Luna, expressed heartfelt gratitude as the families accepted the medals in honor of their loved ones.
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal (Photo from Mayor Biazon's Facebook account)
The US Congressional Gold Medal (Photo from Mayor Biazon's Facebook account)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)
The US Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Muntinlupa (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)

Related Tags

Muntinlupa US Congressional Gold Medal World War II
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