April 9, 2009: The 67th Anniversary of Bataan, A Day of Valor was celebrated at the Lake Street Park in Los Angeles before a landmark monument dedicated to the Filipino WWII Warriors and Defenders of B1ataan. It was a stellar attendance of Speakers, surviving Veterans and Widows, with the support of the volunteers of the Filipino Veterans Foundation and Friends.
The program started with a Memorial Mass celebrated by Fr. Tom Asia, Associate Pastor of St. Philomena Church in Carson. He recalled the sacrifice of those who defended Bataan and how faith had delivered from the horrors of war and sustained them until their last drop of blood. “And it is Faith that gives us strength, courage and resilience to be patient for God’s grace to protect us.” He prayed for the surviving Veterans and the Widows and the orphans and all who have gathered today to celebrate the 67th Anniversary of Bataan.
The program started with the Color Guards offered by Commander Ernest Colwell’s Group. The U.S. Marines tepresented the United States Armed Forces. The Flags of the different Units were posted on stage. Saluting is Veteran Francisco Salvador and fronting him is Veteran Merline “Aguimat” Caraballe.
“This particular Bataan Day is all about relationships, where it brings together people of the past, the present and the future, and 67 years would only seem like yesterday,” Dr. Jenny Batongmalaque stated in her welcome address. She alluded to the published greetings in the printed program.
“I take Bataan personally. As shown in the family picture with its caption below: “
“Flaps Down”
A mother embraces her son's Cross at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, in Fort Bonifacio, Philippines. A father looks up to the airplane bringing his only daugther, Jenny, to America, while a brother, Ed Baton, took this picture for posterity. Circa 1966.
It is the story of Remembering Bataan across the Pacific, where a family is destined to cement the bond between the Philippines and America, as personified by the gallant sacrifice of a soldier, Erasto R. Batongmalaque, and all like him, who have dedicated their lives to courage, integrity and loyalty, so that we may have the freedom we now enjoy.
- Jenny L. Batongmalaque, April 9, 2009
L-R: EmCee: Col. Ralph Ramirez, , Front Row: Deputy Vice Consul Gen. Daniel Espiritu, Col. Butch Moreto, Col. Joseph Smith, Gen. Oscar Hilman, Col. Romy Monteyro. Back Row: Dr. Jenny Batongmalaque, Cmdr. Manuel Braga, Commissioner Bob Archuleta, (not seen) Commissioner Steve Rosmarin, and Pete Shane Feliciano.
The EmCee was Col. Ralph Ramirez, founder and educator of the California Military History Education Project, who interviewed 150 WWII veterans, of which 35 were Filipino American WWII Veterans, and in effect has a forthcoming book on “Mother America, why we fight for freedom and democracy.” He articulated the Holy Grail of the Bataan Defenders prior to its being surrendered by High Command.
Courtesy: Franz Tinio-Lopez
(Above) Veteran Manuel Realubit, 83, was leaning against the monument, listening to the proceedings, visibly touched by the speeches and the nostalgia of the historic event.
Col. Butch Moreto (Ret), PMA Class ’54, and Founder of the Cyberspace Prayer Warriors leading the Invocation Prayer
The Invocation was led by Ret. Col. Butch Moreto of Pacifica, California, who wrote the Prayer for the Cyperspace Prayer Warriors appropriate for the occasion. He asked the audience to join him on reciting the prayer as printed in the program.
Deputy Vice Consul General Daniel Espiritu at the Podium.
Deputy Consul General Daniel Espiritu represented the Philippine Consulate General. He reported that President Gloria M Arroyo headed the celebration of the “Araw ng Kagitingan” ( A Day of Valor) on April 6 in Bataan, with respect to the observance of the Holy Week in the Philippines. “There are 32,000 claims now being processed and the U.S. Ambassador had announced that the first check will be issued on April 17 in Manila.” He also re-iterated the Philippine Consulate General is ever-ready to attend to the needs of any Veteran and his family who plans to return home.
Ret. Brig. Gen. Oscar Hilman, U.S. Army
A special guest from Tacoma, Washington was Retired Brig. General Oscar Hilman, of the United States Army, born in Camarines Sur, “the only Tagalog-speaking General in the United States Army at the present time. The other two Filipino Americans are Ret. General Antonio Taguba, who hails from Hawaii, and General Ernesto Soriano who was raised in the United States.” Gen. Hilman told the assembly what Bataan meant to him personally. His grandfather was killed in the Fall of Bataan, and two uncles died in Camp O’Donnell as P.O.W. He started as a buck Private and pursued his military career inspired by this legacy and as a result had received numerous medals pinned on his chest. He recently retired after his service in the Iraqui conflict where he led 4500 soldiers.
He just realized the distance covered by the Bataan Death March varied because it depended on where you were stationed at the time of the surrender. He visited Bataan last year, scaled Mount Samat and was visibly moved by what the Bataan Defenders had fiercely died for, without food, water, and ammunitions.
He is advocating and encouraging all Filipino groups in the United States to come together as one voice so that we may be well represented in Congress and “the United States and the American History will never forget what our contribution is in freedom and democracy.”
Col. Joseph Smith, Director of the Military and Veterans Affairs, County of Los Angeles
Col. Joseph Smith, the Director of the Military and Veterans Affairs of the Los Angeles County was the Keynote Speaker, being a strong Advocate of the Filipino WWII Veterans and a mentor and supporter of the Filipino Veterans Foundation since its inception in 2002 at the Patriotic Hall. “It matters not whether you served in combat or non-combat, regular or irregular guerrillas. The fact is you served to preserve our democracy.”
Commissioner Bob Archuleta of the Los Angeles Veterans Commission and Commissioner Steve Rosmarin, as President of the Jewish Veterans of America echoed the support and salute to the Filipino WWII Veterans for having had to wait a long time for their recognition of services.
L-R: Dr. Jenny, Comm. Bob Archuleta, Comm. Steve Rosmarin, and Col. Joseph Smith accepting the Trophy of Thanks to the Los Angeles County Veteran Service Officers.
Dr. Batongmalaque, Executive Director of the Filipino Veterans Foundation presented a Trophy to the Los Angeles County Veterans Service Officers, received by Col. Smith in the presence of Commissioners Archuleta and Rosmarin, “ for the support, guidance and acts of kindness beyond the call of duty, reaching out to the disabled Veteran to sign for his claim to the bonus package. In the month of February and March there were 260 Filipino WWII Veterans who were serviced by the VA officers with the coordinated efforts of the Filipino Veterans Foundation.”
Col. Romy Monteyro, (Ret.), recalling those who died without seeing the light of dawn.
Finally, Col. Romy Monteyro, who has championed the cause of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill in the past decade and has been working closely with Congressman Bob Filner’s push for its passage in Congress, recollected “the fallen heroes of Bataan who are no longer in our midst but will never be forgotten in our hearts.” He was sorry the late Col. Frank Quesada, a staunch, articulate columnist fighting for the rights of the Filipino WWII Veterans did not see the light at the end of the tunnel before he was called by our Creator. “But all is well that ends well. However, the struggle continues because the widows are left out of the Stimulus bonus package. And we are pushing for Medicare to extend its health care coverage for the Veterans who would decide to return home.” Then he sang “Wind Beneath My Wings” in acapella, dedicated to the Filipino WWII Veterans in the audience, and to America.
A Final Salute to the Bataan Defenders on its 67th Anniversary at the Lake Street Park Monument, Los Angeles.
A final Salute was given at the end of the program, at the laying of the wreath before the monument, as Taps was played. This concluded the program at a high point, and a Reception immediately followed.
The Guests included Ms. Cynthia Nunez, Director of the Los Angeles National Cemetery and her assistant, Mary Jones; Pete Shane Feliciano of Denver, Colorado, Commander Manuel Braga of the San Diego Filipino Veterans Federation, accompanied by Col. Cenon Antonio who was in Bataan, and became a resistance fighter with the group of Col. Ed Ramsey. Ret. Col. Calinica Semense, of the U.S. Medical Corps, represented the Board of Directors of the Filipino Veterans Foundation. Mrs. Belen Smith brought three guests. Franz Lopez represented the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society.
Congressman Bob Filner sent his Felicitations and Congratulatory Letter included in the Program. Congresswoman Laura Richardson of South Bay, sent her Deputy Field Officer, Rea Bayan who offered assistance to any Veteran who may need it.
A group picture underneath the “Thank You” Banner capped the event as the Boyd Elston Band provided the 1940’s music. A lively Dance followed.
Volunteers who made the event a success included Linda Organo, Vangie Beltran, Maria Gutierrez, Ronika Thomas, Lucy Entac, Cherry Evangelista, Mr. Jose C. Reyes, Cmdr. Ramon Lladoc, Rosario Romasanta and officers of the Veterans Center Association.
Mayor Dear hamming it up before the children, the future of the legacy of the E.R.B. Foundation at the Ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Senior Assessment Center. Left to right: partly seen, Joe Merton, the former Councilman Harold Williams, Commissioners Venit Relatores, Marcelino Ines, Mayor Dear, Vice Cmmdr. Fred Credo, Edith Credo, Dr. Jenny, Cmmdr. Lladoc, and Teogines Esternon.
Fr. Tom Asia celebrating the Memorial Mass for the Bataan Day, A Day of Valor at Lake Street Park before the Monument. 
Filipino WWII Veterans and Widows watching the finality of the quest for Equity by the signing of the Stimulus Package by President Obama
Advocates of the FilVets cause, L-Right seated, Commissioner Steve Rosmarin of the Jewish War Veterans, and Col. Joseph Smith, Director of the Military and Veterans Affairs of the Co. of Los Angeles. Standing, Dr. Jenny Batongmalaque, Exec. Director of the Filipino Veterans Foundation and Robert Saxon, Director of the LA Co. Veterans Service Office
