It was Dr. Ricardo Jose, a historian who spoke in behalf of the 300,000 World War II veterans and heirs who own the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB).
This, as 20 percent of the bank’s profit goes to programs that benefit widows and families of Veterans who had less in life.
Jose, an expert in Philippine World War II history, was very passionate in drawing present day lesson for today’s Filipinos after experiencing war.
“Not that we like to have war just so the beautiful in the Filipino comes out. In those years, courage and valor exhibited by our veterans suffering the Japanese atrocities and American manipulations, were ‘indescribable’ by any word we know of,” he said.
Such courage and valor, Jose said, are seen among many veterans whom he had met and interviewed and who voluntarily refused to receive their war pension for the simple reason that they live for their country and will die for it.
“Many of them are not rich, but the flame of defending the country is a monument in their hearts,” Jose added.
“The Filipinos of today should learn from these veterans. The conviction of their hearts is touching,” he said.
In the honor of World War II veterans, world-class exhibit dubbed, “The War of our Fathers... a Tribute to the Filipino Fighters” will open for the public at SM City Bacolod From August 10 until 31, 2007.
