BALANGA CITY — Bataeño war veterans were given honor and tribute with various song and dance performances during the recent Senior Citizen’s Night held at the Plaza Mayor de Balanga.
Members of the Bataeño Federation of Senior Citizens’ Association of the Philippines, Incorporation invited the remaining World War II survivors from Bataan who contributed their lives in fighting for the freedom of the country.
One of the honored veterans was 91-year-old Angel Salandanan de Guzman from barangay Gabon in Abucay town.
He served as one of the privates of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) with the American forces.
USAFFE was a military formation of the United States Army with General Douglas MacArthur as the commander.
The group was tasked as a service command in the planning and tactical control during the war between the Japanese.
This special commemoration of the organization of the Senior Citizens was part of 75th Araw ng Kagitingan.
By reminiscing the events before and during the World War II, Senior Citizens from different municipalities and city compete by performing folk songs and dances.
Morong won first place as they entertained the audience through their dance performance of “Singkil.”
Moreover, Balanga City placed second and Dinalupihan ended third.
Gracing the event were Bataan Peninsula Tourism Council Foundation Inc Chairperson Victoria Garcia, Provincial Social Welfare Development Office Head Marilyn Tigas and Board member Peping Villapando. (PIA 3)