79TH VICTORY DAY CELEBRATION

Filipino World War II veterans were recognized during the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal Awarding Ceremony held at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center on September 3, 2024.

The award was given by US Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Benefit Office Assistant Director Kevin MacAllister, who represented the United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson with Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator USec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, representing Secretary of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Two brothers named Col. Mapagtapat and Col. Magtangol Ongchangco who are PMA graduate Class 1942 and 1943 received the Congressional Gold Medal award. They stood their ground and survived the Death March.

The activity was also attended by the Veterans Federations of the Philippines Sons and Daughters Association, Inc. Executive Vice President and Philippine Veterans Bank First Vice President Miguel Angelo Villa-Real, Philippine Military Academy Assistant Superintendent Commodore Roger Viduya, other veterans of Foreign wars, descendants and heirs of war veterans, and representatives from different government agencies.

US Congressional Gold Medal Awardees from La Union and Baguio as of August 14, 2024.

LIVING AWARDEES

1.) Pvt. Estrella Nastor Nares (96 years old)

2.) Pvt. Juan Ragandac Cabe (96 years old)

3.) Pvt. Ester Mon Fe (97 years old)

4.) Pvt. Prudencio Oliva Paguiringan (97 years old)

5.) Pvt. Antonia Hufano Sanchez (98 years old)

6.) Sgt. Eumelia Diaz Cacanindin (99 years old)

7.) Pvt. Virgilio Fontanilla Costales (100 years old)

8.) Pfc. Maximo Lictaoa Lictaoa (100 years old)

9.) Sgt. Martin Rivera Lubrin (100 years old)

10.) Pvt. Regina Nastor Oreiro (100 years old)

11.) Pvt. Constancia Enriquez Nones (101 years old)

POSTHUMOUS AWARDEES

1.) Bgen. Vicente M. Yngente

2.) Col. Mapagtapat Nepomuceno Ongchangco

3.) Col. Magtangol Nepomuceno Ongchangco

4.) Col. Mariano Villarista Aguilar

5.) Col. Henry Tiwakon Acmor

6.) Maj. Alfredo Gayagay Lam-en

7.) Maj. Alfredo Fernando Flores

8.) Cpt. Bernardo Lamadrid

9.) 1Lt. Angel Dobid Bacoling

10.) S/Sgt. Edwin F. Sagmayao

11.) S/Sgt. Canuto Halog Mabalot

12.) Sgt. Teodoro Veraque Paglinawan

13.) Sgt. Laureano Caoile Colcol

14.) T/4. Juan Dail Catabay

15.) Cpl. Flores Bayawa Laoyan

16.) Cpl. Maximo Capia Tacay

17.) Cpl. Michael Mango

18.) Cpl. Alfredo Caingitan Vergara

19.) T/5. Manneng

20.) Pfc. Melecio Durango Chiquillo

21.) Pfc. Eufemiano Rigor Gacutan

22.) Pfc. ALfredo Fernandez Morillo

23.) Pvt. Gregorio Ursua Fran

24.) Pvt. Rufino Dacoco Abacco

25.) Pvt. Inyong Pasigon

26.) Pvt. Silvino Binabise Blaza

27.) Pvt. Nelly Milan Lopez

28.) Pvt. Comaad

29.) Pvt. Barnabas Chason

30.) Pvt. Washington Paran

31.) Pvt. Alfredo Dangle Culbengan

32.) Pvt. Nemesio Samidan

33.) Bgen. Zosimo Paredes