TACLOBAN CITY — Several foreign and national government dignitaries are expected to attend the Veterans Day Activities in Tacloban City from October 16 to 19, 2019, as part of the 75th Liberation Anniversary. The event will highlight a Civic Parade and a tribute program for the City’s 12 surviving World War II Veterans at the historic Price Mansion.

Expected to grace the tribute program at the Price Mansion on Veterans Day, October 19 are United States Ambassador Sung Kim, Ambassador Koji Haneda of Japan, Ambassador Jorge Moragas of Spain, Ambassador Steven Robinsons Ao of Australia.

Local officials will be led by Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez along with Leyte 1st District Congw. Yedda Marie Romualdez and House Majority Floor Leader Congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez in paying tribute to 12 surviving World War II Veterans.

The City Tourism Operations Office said cash gifts and grocery items will also be given to the veterans.

The surviving War veterans of the City are Xerxes Alisbo Abadiano, 99; Jose Acuna Acedillo, 98; Eduardo Aguilar Bermudo, 95; Pablito Arana Candela, 90; Aquila Gallego Closa, 91; Terersa Olino Malpas, 91, Ramon Ocampo Modina, 91; Margarito Baclayo Olguera, 94; Epistemia Redona Rama, 92; Maxima Aviles Satorre, 98; Remegia Cruzada Tomol, 97, and Paciencia Kempis Tripoli,102.

A 5:45 A.M. Flag Raising Ceremony at the City Hall that will include a wreath-laying ceremony and 21 Gun Salute and releasing of doves, followed by a civic parade will start the activities on October 19.

About 877 costumed participants from local schools of the DepEd City Division will depict the six eras of Philippine History (Pre-Spanish, Spanish Era, Commonwealth Government, Japanese Era, Liberation and Post-Liberation Era) during the Civic Parade at 6:00 AM. themed “History in Parade”.

Contingents from the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, local government offices and a convoy of vintage GI Jeeps courtesy of former Mayor “Bejo” Romualdez will also join the parade.

The TOMECO said that the streets of Justice Romualdez St., Rizal Avenue, Imelda Veteranos, Real Street, and Magsaysay Boulevard will be closed to traffic during the parade.

Meantime, a Trade Fair and Nightly Cultural Shows at Plaza Rizal will be held from October 16 to 19, 9.30 am until 5.00 and will be participated by PESO, City Coop Office, Product 8, Pasalubong Center and Local Travel Agencies that will be offering promo packages said CTOO Coordinator Bardot Atillo.

Nightly Cultural presentations will also be starting at 6:30 PM at the Plaza. Leyte Normal University is scheduled to perform on October 16, Eastern Visayas State University on October 17, UP Tacloban on October 18 and the Philippine National Police on October 19.

An exhibit of World War II memorabilia will also happen at the Price Mansion from October 16 to 19. The former residence of General Douglas MacArthur is open from 9: 00 am to 5:00 pm.

October 19 is locally declared as the Tacloban City World War II Veterans Day through City Ordinance No. 2007-9-65. Under the Ordinance the family of a deceased World War II veteran is entitled to burial assistance of 10, 000 pesos from the City Government. – H.J. Roca/CIO

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Photos: A. Alamos/CIO