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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Filipino shipmate monument rises in Subic

Filipino shipmate monument rises in Subic

Published Jan 16, 2026 06:12 pm
(Photo: United States Sailors Alliance of the Philippines)
(Photo: United States Sailors Alliance of the Philippines)
A monument honoring more than a century of Filipino service in the United States Navy and Coast Guard was recently unveiled at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to mark a new landmark in the shared military history of the Philippines and the United States.
The Filipino Shipmate Monument pays tribute to tens of thousands of Filipino-American men and women who have served from 1901 to the present, according to the organizer of the event, United States Sailors Alliance of the Philippines (USSAP), a non-profit organization comprised of sailors with Filipino heritage.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony held last Jan. 14 highlighted the sacrifices, loyalty, and gallantry of Filipino sailors in the defense of peace and freedom. It was attended by veterans, government officials, community leaders, and families, among others.
USSAP said the monument was presented not only as a memorial but also as an educational site, and it is meant to remind future generations of the long-standing contribution of Filipino shipmates and the enduring alliance between the two countries.
Speakers including Commander Ryan Newmeyer, from the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) Philippines; Olongapo City Mayor Rolen C. Paulino Jr.; and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Engr. Eduardo Jose L. Alino cited the deep historical ties between the Philippines and the US Navy, and underscored the courage and commitment shown by Filipino sailors for more than a hundred years.
“These statues embody the collective contributions of Filipino sailors, their sacrifices made far from home, their unwavering loyalty to the United States Armed Forces [and] their gallantry in the face of adversity,” said Doce Salazar, chairman of the USSAP.
According to the organizers, Subic Bay was chosen as the site because of its naval legacy, once hosting the largest overseas US naval base before its closure in 1992.
They said this made the event a symbolic bridge between past and present maritime cooperation.
The eight-foot-tall monument is modeled after Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad, the only Filipino sailor to receive the U.S. Medal of Honor.
The statue is the flagship project of the 1,000-member USSAP.
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