PHOTO BY ALEX BADAYOS
HISTORY: Students from Talisay City College watch as soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines reenact the American landing in Talisay City to liberate the island from Japanese rule 73 years ago.
More than 1,500 people were treated to a peek at history yesterday, when Talisay City held its yearly reenactment of the historic landing of American forces in Cebu during World War 2.
The 73rd year commemoration of “Takas sa Talisay,” which was held in the Liberation Park in Barangay Poblacion, Talisay City, was also participated in by 300 WW2 veterans.
At 6 a.m. yesterday, a mass was held in the park, followed by a civic-military parade organized by the Talisay City Government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command.
During the activity, the Talisay City and Cebu Provincial Governments also gave certificates of commendation to 10 veterans for their bravery and service during World War 2.
Majority of those who received these were already in their nineties.
Those awarded are Guillermo Antoni Alegado, 100, from Lamac, Pinamungajan; Hipolito Rodriguez, 93, from Tabunok, Talisay City; Vicente Restauro, 93, from San Isidro, Talisay City; Agapito Dobluis , 92, from Candulawan, Talisay City; Briccio Jakosalem, 91, from Pakigne, Minglanilla; Sergio Rivera, 97, also from Pakigne, Minglanilla; Teodulfo Flormata, 91, from Tunghaan, Minglanilla; Ricardo Ferolino, 97, from Malhiao, Ba- dian; Leonard Ferolino, 91, from Banhigan, Badian; and Luis Jabonero, 90, from Tisa, Cebu City.
Hannibal Lipardo, Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) vice president, thanked both local governments for continuing to support their veterans through the annual commemoration.
He also urged the younger generation to remember the work of their veterans and those who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
Lipardo also hopes that the National Government would assist their remaining veterans by providing them with free maintenance medicines.
For his part, Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas plans to talk to Vice Mayor Alan Bucao about a plan to put up a fund for veterans living in the city.
In a separate interview, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said that in his administration, provincial and district hospitals provide free medicines for veterans and centenarians.
He said he plans to study the idea of providing daily medicines for veterans.
Majority of those who received were already in their nineties.