Contents… (Hyperlinked: Hold Control and click on page number to go directly to the article or simply scroll down; for Page 2, click AFPSI ) 2 AFPSI Celebrates 35 th Anniversary. Dr. Evelyn Yu Inducted President (Urbano A. Dauz, MD) This young but mature organization celebrates its 35 th year of founding with friends from five other organizations. It installs a fourth woman president. 10 The Rebirth of PEACE Like the mythical bird phoenix, on its 27 th year this highly productive and respected organization rises from its own ashes. 12 Singing for the Philippines. A Serenade for the Homeland (Arachelle B. Jose, MD) The popular and fun-filled song and dance attains a higher dimension because it is done for a noble cause. 17 Trapped Between Cultures (Eugenio Amparo, MD) This retired radiologist feels he is not American enough to withstand loneliness or Filipino enough to tolerate Manila traffic. . 19 Kris Pineda Featured in Wind Concert With an impeccable performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” the piano virtuoso received a standing ovation. 20 Lt. Felix Yapit, US Army, Retired (Feliciano Yapit) A loving and dutiful son traces the bravery, sacrifices and difficult life of his multi-awarded military father that paved . the way to their becoming US citizens. 28 A Time for All Seasons—Including Retirement (Narciso S. Albarracin, MD) Quoting Ecclesiastes, this retired pathologist avers that whether it is time for work, for family or even retirement, one should spend time wisely for the greater glory of God. 30 Peace of God—Within My Grasp? (Phil Galang) Peace is of our heart and a blessing from God. 31 Test Your Vocabulary and Win a Free Book Words are taken from the novel, “I Shall Return” 32 WWII Novel “I Shall Return” (By (Cosme R. Cagas) Read excerpts here. Read book reviews at www.amazon.com . Available in ebook, amazon kindle, hard and soft covers from various outlets including from the author. 33 The Rain in Ayala Heights (Carmelo C. Dichoso, MD) Interpretation of above poem immediately follows on p. 34. The ILLINI Official Publication of the Association of Filipino Physicians in Southern Illinois Volume III, Fall-Winter, 2013
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Contents… (Hyperlinked: Hold Control and click on page number to go directly to the article or simply scroll down;
for Page 2, click AFPSI )
2 AFPSI Celebrates 35th
Anniversary. Dr. Evelyn Yu Inducted President (Urbano A. Dauz, MD) This young but mature organization celebrates its 35th year of founding with friends from five other
organizations. It installs a fourth woman president.
10 The Rebirth of PEACE Like the mythical bird phoenix, on its 27th year this highly productive and respected organization rises from its own
ashes.
12 Singing for the Philippines. A Serenade for the Homeland (Arachelle B. Jose, MD) The popular and fun-filled song and dance attains a higher dimension because it is done for a noble cause.
17 Trapped Between Cultures (Eugenio Amparo, MD) This retired radiologist feels he is not American enough to withstand loneliness or Filipino enough to tolerate Manila traffic.
. 19 Kris Pineda Featured in Wind Concert With an impeccable performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” the piano virtuoso received a standing ovation.
20 Lt. Felix Yapit, US Army, Retired (Feliciano Yapit) A loving and dutiful son traces the bravery, sacrifices and difficult life of his multi-awarded military father that paved
. the way to their becoming US citizens.
28 A Time for All Seasons—Including Retirement (Narciso S. Albarracin, MD) Quoting Ecclesiastes, this retired pathologist avers that whether it is time for work, for family or even retirement, one should
spend time wisely for the greater glory of God.
30 Peace of God—Within My Grasp? (Phil Galang) Peace is of our heart and a blessing from God.
31 Test Your Vocabulary and Win a Free Book Words are taken from the novel, “I Shall Return”
32 WWII Novel “I Shall Return” (By (Cosme R. Cagas) Read excerpts here. Read book reviews at www.amazon.com.
Available in ebook, amazon kindle, hard and soft covers from various outlets including from the author.
33 The Rain in Ayala Heights (Carmelo C. Dichoso, MD)
Interpretation of above poem immediately follows on p. 34.
The ILLINI
Official Publication of the Association of Filipino Physicians in Southern Illinois
Volume III, Fall-Winter, 2013
AFPSI CELEBRATES 35TH
ANNIVERSARY Dr. Evelyn Yu Inducted President
Urbano A. Dauz, M.D
They came, they saw, they celebrated.
Members of PEACE, APPA, UPMASA SI-MO Chapter and PMA of
Greater St. Louis celebrated the 35th founding anniversary of the
Association of Filipino Physicians in Southern Illinois (AFPSI) at the
Regency Hilton Garden Inn at O’Fallon, Illinois on Saturday, May 25,
2013. Below are the highlights of the memorable Memorial Weekend of
2013.
They Came
Attendees came the day before, travelling from various places near and far
from the venue – NY, NJ, FL, Ohio, Indiana, WV, MS, TN, CA, Chicago
and Missouri. Friday night, May 24th
marked the presentation of “Singing
for the Philippines” jointly sponsored by the Philippine Economic and
Cultural Endowment (PEACE), Dr. Virgilio R. Pilapil, president, and the
University of the Philippines, Southern IL-Missouri (UPMASA SI-MO)
Chapter, Dr. Necita Roa, president. This event unwittingly proved to be a
fitting warm-up period for the celebration ahead. To the obvious delight of
the appreciative audience, amateur performers with different backgrounds,
abilities and stage presence sang, danced, performed excerpts from Les
Miserables, and rendered their interpretations of traditional ethnic
Philippine dances. An emboldened group of AFPSI amateurs gamely
danced their version of Philippine Tango which elicited not just a mere
perfunctory mercy applause but a rather boisterous and enthusiastic one
notwithstanding a few missteps, warts and all, largely offset by their lively
and near perfect timing and rhythm to the beat of the music. It was a
resounding success judging from the heightened decibels of laughter and
applause coming from the fired-up audience. The generous donations from
the members definitely fattened the coffers of PEACE for funding its
artesian wells projects back home to provide clean and potable water to
areas in need and for the UPMASA SI-MO Chapter to help fund its
projects for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
They Saw
With this upbeat atmosphere lingering and persisting the following day
providing a suitable platform to build on more excitement, the celebration
of the 35th
founding anniversary of AFPSI has never been primed better for
more fun and a more enjoyable evening. The festivities commenced with
the singing of the America anthem, the Star-Spangled banner, by Dr.
Zurliene- secretary, Mrs. Virgie Abinoja- treasurer, and Mrs. Kay Pineda-Pro-- were inducted into
office by Mrs. Eden Tejero, incumbent APPA Auxiliary president. Mrs. Deleste called on everyone to
continue to work together for the greater good of the organization.
Bailamos!
Induction of the incoming officers of PEACE followed. They were inducted into office by Dr. Virgilio
Pilapil, outgoing president. This was a revitalization period for PEACE as advocated and envisioned by
its founder, Dr. Cagas.
6
Crowning of Mrs. AFPSI, Mrs. Ann Butalid (center). From left, Elcee Cagas
Conner, Leonor Pagtakhan So, Sally Siroy, Edwin Siroy and Bert Butalid.
A special presentation by the APPA Auxiliary followed with the group doing a lively line dance to the
beat of “Chilly Cha-Cha”. AFPSI members then capped the evening dancing to the rhythm of
“Bailamos” (by Enrique Iglesias) showing off glimpses of both Gangnam style dancing and John
Travolta’s signature dance moves. Their rendition practically brought the house down in gleeful
applause and appreciation. Thanks to the choreography by Dr. Raydo and Mrs. Remy Bugayong from
Jacksonville, IL who were our patient dance instructors. The night was capped by the coronation of
Mrs. AFPSI 2013, Mrs. Ann Butalid from Carlyle, IL who was crowned by Mrs. Leonor Pagtakhan So,
former Mrs. APPA, with Dr. Edwin and Mrs. Sally Siroy helping the sash placement.
AFPSI in Perspective
AFPSI has come a long way since its founding in 1978. It evolved as an idea in 1977 after restrictive
laws were passed in the US Congress that were felt detrimental to foreign medical graduates. It took a
visionary and humanitarian, Dr. Cosme R. Cagas, from Belleville, IL to come up with the idea of
providing a unified front against discriminatory practices and unfair legislation against FMGs. Thus
was founded the Association with the first elected slate of officers for 1978-79 led by Nestor R.
Zenarosa, MD of Belleville as president. It became a 501(C) (3) nonprofit corporation shortly after
largely to the efforts of second president Casimiro C. Garcia, Jr. To publicize its activity and to inform
members of major issues especially affecting FMGs, AFPSI started publishing the Philippine ILLINI in
1978, co-edited by Dr. Cosme R. Cagas and Dr. Casimirio C. Garcia, Jr. and later in 1985 by the couple
Elcee Cagas Conner and Dr. David M. Conner.
7
APPA Auxiliary dancers
In 1980, under the initiative of Dr. Cagas the AFPSI Science Scholarship Quiz Show for senior high
school students took shape although the first Quiz Show itself was not started until 1981 at the
Belleville East High School. It has been an ongoing yearly event since then being undertaken by the
organization with the latest one held at Carlyle High School last November, 2012.
Obviously inspired by his success in founding AFPSI which became a fount of friendship, camaraderie
and shared common goals, it was a short leap of faith for Dr. Cagas to extend his organizing talents to
another level. Thus was founded the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America
(UPMASA) in 1981. Its objective is to invite all UP Alumni transplanted into the North American
Continent by choice, fate or force of circumstance to come together and unite to help their Alma Mater
and the PGH. In time the UPMASA SI-MO Chapter became the source of five presidents of the
national organization, namely, Dr. Cagas,1980-83; Dr. Leopoldo Pardo, Jr.;1983-85; Dr. Wilfrido C.
Feliciano,1991-93; Dr. Benjamin I. Albano, 1999-01; and Dr. Ofelia D. Bernabe;2009-1. And in no
time at all, giving vent to his humanitarian inclinations, Dr. Cagas founded PEACE in 1986 with its
main goal of providing clean and potable water to various areas in the Philippines lacking a safe and
healthy source of this basic life-giving necessity. Though not directly involved himself in the founding
of the APPA, Dr. Cagas had actively participated at higher levels in this umbrella organization as
founding speaker of the House of Delegates, among others.
And so it came to pass that on the Memorial Weekend of 2013 the members of these four
organizations, and those of a fifth, the PMA of Greater St. Louis, were gathered together under one
8
roof in one particular locality. And thus the events that transpired and witnessed by many on that
fateful Memorial Day Weekend of 2013 has become part of our proud history and has created greater
and wider impact on all foreign medical graduates living and working in this one great nation, the
United States of America.
.
9 Back to page 1
Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no
leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things
for the better.
—Harry S. Truman
THE REBIRTH OF PEACE
After a one-year hiatus occasioned by lack of inspired leadership, the Philippine Economic and
Cultural Endowment like the mythical bird phoenix virtually rose from its own ashes on the watch of
vice president then interim president Virgilio R. Pilapil, first with the resoundingly successful fund-
raiser “Singing for the Philippines” (see related articles this issue), which it jointly co-sponsored with the
UPMASA, SI-MO Chapter on May 24, 2013 and then capped by a well attended meeting the following
day. The most entertaining and fun-filled song and dance was aptly punctuated with the PEACE
Humanitarian Award of the Year to Dr. Augustus P. Soriano who was cited for his gutsy and
courageous fight against racism in Mississippi (read Philippine ILLINI, Spring-Summer, 2013) and
the PEACE Couple of the Year to Drs. Regulus and Carmelita Tobias who made the foundation’s
Silver Anniversary Celebrations a most enjoyable and an unforgettable experience.
Cosme Cagas reads Humanitarian of the Year 2013 award to
Augustus P. Soriano (left) as PEACE president Virgilio R. Pilapil and previous
humanitarian awardees Daniel Santos and Jesus Ho (right) listen approvingly.
PEACE members attending annual meeting
10
PEACE Officers 2013-15
Old and new members elected a set of new officers chosen for their relative youth and vigor,
willingness to serve and past performance in and outside the organization:
Augustus P. Soriano, president, Arachelle Baduel Jose, vice president, Urbano Dauz, president-elect,
Ramon G. Lopez, secretary, Elcee Cagas Conner, treasurer, Edwin Siroy, auditor, and Virgilio Pilapil,
editor. The board of governors: Rano S. Bofill, Generoso D. Duremdes, Recto F. De Leon, Wilfrido C.
Feliciano, Jesus T. Ho, Nicolas C. Pineda, and Necita L. Roa. The advisers: Lestrino C. Baquiran,
Nelson D. Bocar, Carmelo C. Dichoso, Gil R. Pilapil, Daniel E. Santos, and Rolando S. Sineneng.
PEACE founder Cosme R. Cagas was appointed by President Soriano as executive director.
11 Back to page 1
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. —Douglas MacArthur
SINGING FOR THE PHILIPPINES A Serenade For Our Beloved Homeland
Arachelle Baduel Jose, MD
It had been done before in 1988 and 1990, ʻSinging for PEACE’. This time on May 24, 2013 at
OʼFallon, Illinois, it was ʻSinging for the Philippines’. Singing has always been at the heart of the
Filipino soul. Many a fair maidenʼs heart has been won by the harana. The karaoke is always a fair
treat whenever 2 or 3 or more Filipinos gather to party.
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MEDICAL SOCIETY IN AMERICA
SI-MO CHAPTER
AND
THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENDOWMENT
IN COOPERATION WITH
THE ASSOCIATION OF FILIPINO PHYSICIANS
IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
AND
THE ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA
PRESENT
SINGING FOR THE PHILIPPINE
The singing attains a nobler dimension when done for a cause. The cause, to raise money for
artesian wells in the Philippines and for the needy patients of the Philippine General Hospital, was
enthusiastically taken up by the members of PEACE, UPMASA, SI-MO Chapter, the Association of
Philippine Physicians in America and the Association of Filipino Physicians in Southern Illinois.
12
It was a night of merriment, a night to showcase the membersʼ and their familiesʼ talents, a night to
recall the nostalgia of Filipino songs, a night to award members who did more than their fair share and
a night to renew friendships and make new ones.
La fruta no cae lejos del arbor. Our inimitable and effervescent emcee, Elcee Cagas Conner and
company opened the show with a rendition of ʻDiamonds are Forever.ʼ This cast of thousands which
included family members also ended the first half with a mega production of Les Miserables.
Edwin and Sally Siroy, Carlos Deleste and Urbano Dauz also gave performances. Gangnam style
dancing by all was led by Elceeʼs nephews and irrepressible father. Mini Hawaiian dancers, Elena
Nieva Villaflores and Alexandria Nieva Whitehead outshone all the other performers in the second half
APPA AFPSI
Springfield Dancers: “Modern Maranao Dance”
13
of the program. The Maranao dance by the Springfield dancers, Linda Sartain, Gwen Reserva, Lilian
Beams, Lynn Wright and Lilibeth Gumia held everyoneʼs attention as well as AFPSI’s Tango dancers
and the unforgettable, ʻMaalala Mo Kayaʼ by Conrad and Virgie Abinoja.
It was hard to be humble for Dr. Augustus Soriano who received PEACEʼs Humanitarian of the Year
Award. The other honorees were Drs. Regulus and Carmelita Tobias as PEACE Couple of the Year. To
conclude the program was Dr. Dido Feliciano with renditions of Ikaw and Bayan Ko, the latter serving
as finale fervently sang by all.
Condrad and Virgie Abinoja Ban and Virgie Dauz, Nic and Kay Pineda
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Choir (of Sparta, IL)
14
AFPSI Tango dancers
Dido Feliciano Vic Zata shares WWII story during book signing of
“I Shall Return”
For me, travelling from Cherry Hill, NJ and visiting the area for the first time, it was a thrill to see the
famous St. Louis arch in person. I did not get to climb it which makes that a good reason to come back.
We missed many, notably Ching Baquiran, Nelson Bocar, Roly and Leda Sineneng, Seb and Grace
Kho, Sariel and Andie Ablaza, Offie and Babes Bernabe and I am sure I will be remiss with some
egregious omissions. It was great to belong to this gathering. The local Filipino community almost
matches the one I belong to in South Jersey.
15
Dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt. Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth. - William W. Purkey
Scouts fought hard and tenaciously held on, only to be told to surrender in the end. The Battle of
Bataan which began in early January 1942 lasted until April 9, 1942, when Major General
Edward P. King, Jr., decided to surrender his badly battered forces rather than see any more
casualties. Deprived of food almost to the point of starvation, with depleting medical
and ammunition supplies, the men were being slaughtered by the better-equipped and well fed
enemy, whose advance the USAFFE forces could no longer effectively check. On the day they
laid down their arms, a total of about 70,000 marched into captivity. Among those who became
prisoners of war were about 16,000 Americans and 54,000 Filipinos.
The victorious Japanese Imperial Army, whose Code of Bushido looked down on soldiers who
surrender and not die fighting to the end as nothing but disgraced cowards, the Filipino and
American soldiers were forced to march from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga
under the oppressive Philippine sun at the peak of summer. That infamous atrocity later came to
be known in history as the “Death March of Bataan”. Their Japanese guards were about 100
yards apart making it possible for some of the Filipinos to escape by running through the sugar
cane fields along the route of the march, which was about 10 yards from the main road. Some
were able to escape undetected, but others were not as lucky. Every one of those caught escaping
were put to death. Those who fell during the march due to weakness were mercilessly bayoneted
to death, and any attempt by their comrades to help were met with a hail of bullets from the
guards. For those who could not escape, it was a grueling march in over 100 degree temperature.
Added to the hardship of marching in the sweltering heat with little food and water, was the
sickening stench of unburied bodies along the way. Upon reaching San Fernando, Pampanga, the
prisoners were herded like cattle and forced into overcrowded railroad cars for the short ride to
Capas, Tarlac, and then were again force marched to Camp O’Donnell, an uncompleted pre-war
training camp which was converted by the Japanese as a concentration camp for the survivors of
the Death March. Camp O’Donnell became the new home, after marching for approximately 65
miles in about 10 agonizing days. Those ten days remained vivid in Felix’s mind where about
10,000 marchers were killed or simply dropped dead from exhaustion.
My father was 30 year old at the time and remembered how young the Japanese soldiers
appeared --- they looked like they were 17 and 18 years old. The Japanese took everything away
from their captives---watches, jewelry and money. Felix lost about 10 pesos, a fortune in those
days, but was able to save his wedding ring by placing it in his underwear. Felix survived the
Death March to fight another day.
Japanese soldiers looked like they were 17 and 18 years old
All that time he remained strong, both physically and mentally. He said, “During our training
before the war, we were told that if taken prisoners we must try to escape. Part of the training
was how to escape and evade re-capture. One night he decided to give it a try. He waited for the
right moment. The trees were not too close from the camp perimeter and there was a wide open
space he had to get through. He got away maybe 25 yards, when the search light came on. He
knew the guards in the tower would not hesitate to shoot. He looked to the trees which still
23
loomed far in the distance. He said to himself, “I have no chance.” So he raised his hands. The
Japanese punishment for his first escape attempt was several strokes of a rifle butt to the
abdomen. He was struck at least about five times, after which he was told the punishment would
be more severe or even death, if he attempted another escape.
But it was his duty as a soldier to escape so after two weeks, he tried again. This time he got
farther, about 100 yards. He thought he would make it, but the distance to temporary freedom
was still far and wide-- a large expanse of open ground ahead of him with no trees or bushes in
which to take refuge, but he kept on. Suddenly, two shots were fired. He froze in his tracks and
was forced surrender again or be killed. He raised his hands, and meekly walked back under
escort. True to their word, the punishment the Japanese inflicted the second time was more
severe. He was put, with his hands and feet bound, into a bamboo cage. He was confined there
for a day under the sweltering sun, but still he considered himself lucky because other POWs
stayed there for a week or more. The chance for a third attempt did not come. A deadly epidemic
raged through the camp. Many prisoners were dying of malaria, dysentery, beriberi and other
diseases. As the winds of death swept through the horde of malnourished prisoners, they dropped
like flies at the rate of over hundred per day. Felix was one of those assigned in the burial detail.
The dead were wrapped in their own blankets and then carried to their graves. The prisoners
were forced to dig trenches which served as mass burial grounds, located about a mile and a half
from the camp, or about at 25 minute to walk coming and going. The graves measured about 3
by 10 yards. Into these rectangular holes, the prisoners began piling up the dead. The sun was
hot, some of them had been dead maybe a day, so the air permeating the gravesite was horrible.
All day, men brought their comrades to the mass grave. They made as many trips as they could
each day knowing at anytime theirs could be the next body to be carried out and dumped. The
body of a deceased person becomes swollen. They had no gloves, to pick them up with; nothing
but their bare hands. He described how the skin on a dead body, after being exposed to extreme
temperatures, would fall off when the men would take the hands or feet to moved them onto the
blanket. He helped bury the dead everyday until he got sick. He became too weak to do anything
but lay ill, with malaria and other diseases, and wondered if death would claim him soon. After
three months, his weight was down to 71 pounds. At the camp they were served just a little rice
each night. Approximately 26,000 of the 50,000 Filipinos died at Camp O’Donnell.
Eventually, talks between the puppet Philippine government and the Japanese military authorities
resulted in the release of all Filipino prisoners of war. The Filipino prisoners were told that
anyone of them who could walk would be released. Many were very sick and just could not
walk, but Felix forced himself to walk. He was still sick, but he walked all the way to a hospital
in Manila which was about 250 kilometers away from Capas. The American prisoners were
transferred to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija province and some were sent to Palawan and other
concentration camps.
When he reached Manila, it was the first in many months that he had good food to eat. Later, he
learned the American Red Cross had been sending food packages and medications for use of the
prisoners, but none of those ever reached them. After 15 days, he left the hospital and went in
24
search of his family. He didn’t know where to find us. It took him five days to reunite with his
family. When he found us, we were all well. Somehow my mother managed to take care of the
whole household of four children and now with the welcome addition of my father who was still
weak from the effects of the war. My mother sold most of her clothes to get food for all of us.
Having her do these things bothered my father. As soon as he was strong enough, he went in
search of a job. There were no jobs in Manila so he took his family back to Naguilian, La Union
where we stayed with our grandparents on my mother’s side. There my father Felix helped his
father-in-law Elias on his small farm. Later we all moved to San Juan, La Union.
In 1943, the Japanese were still in control of much of the Philippines. Putting his military
experience to work, my father organized the local men in our town into a Bolo Unit and started
the resistance movement there against the Japanese. The Bolo units (Philippine machete-type
weapon) operated as an adjunct of the Guerrilla Army, but they had no guns. The men in the unit
were poorly equipped and relied heavily on food donations from fellow countrymen who
supported their efforts to free the land from their enemy.
They Japanese had difficulty finding the guerrillas as they stayed in the jungles, but that did not
stop them from trying to force local residents to tell them where they were. He recalled being
told of how his father-in-law was tortured for not disclosing information on members of the
Guerrilla Army. He would not tell them where it was, so they hung him in a tree by his feet. He
hung there until he was near death. His tongue hung out when they cut him down but the family
nursed him back to health.
With the atrocities on the people by the enemy, it wasn’t hard to gain support for the Bolo Unit.
Finally, they got one rifle. My father gave them instructions of the use and care of the same. In
1944, the Bolo Unit was assigned to a unit of the Philippine Commonwealth Army. Between the
times he started that assignment through May of 1945, he was wounded twice. The first time was
when his unit was ambushed. He was wounded in the throat. After two weeks in the hospital, he
returned to the same platoon and was wounded the second time in the right hand. It was that
wound that would cause him problems for years to come. After his second discharge from the
hospital, he reported to the replacement battalion.
Because of his damaged hand, there was not much he could do. He was assigned as an instructor.
He only had a month to train volunteers, some as young as 14, to use a rifle and go to actual
combat. During that time, he too practiced shooting with his left hand and regain his
marksmanship, and after the Philippines was liberated, he continued practicing with a .45 Caliber
pistol and was soon back in competition.
On October 20, 1944 General MacArthur returned as promised with the liberation forces of the
U.S. Army and the Philippine Commonwealth Army was reorganized into a fighting force.
Together they continued to fight the Japanese who resisted fiercely and only gave up after Japan
surrendered to the Allied Forces. On September 2, 1945 Japan surrendered unconditionally
bringing World War II to conclusion. It was a great feeling, my father said. “We were free men
again and no longer have to suffer under the Japanese occupation.”
25
In early1946, after the Philippines Scouts were reconstituted, the U.S. Army announced that all
Filipino personnel may apply for Officers Candidate School. Should they pass the exam and
graduate from OCS they could be commissioned. Although my father lacked a formal college
education, he successfully passed the exam and graduated from the OCS. His first assignment as
an officer was in the same place he was held as prisoner of war--- Camp O’Donnell.
In the same year, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States so he could join the regular
U.S. Army, since the Philippines was about to be granted independence by the U.S. Later on he
was told that he was over the age criterion for First Lieutenants, and that’s when confessed that
he lied about his age on his initial enlistment. His personnel record was updated with the
submission of proper documents from the church of his birthplace.
His first trip to America in 1949 landed him at Fort Ord, California, then to Fort Lewis,
Washington. He recalled all the new sounds, the autumn leaves, and the smell of the factories. It
was much different from his native Philippines. In 1950, at the outbreak of the Korean conflict,
he was assigned to Pusan, Korea. The following year he was transferred to Japan. It was a duty
assignment he wanted. With the war over, he wanted to see the country and see how his past
enemies lived. He found he was able to work with the Japanese civilians, with little or no
animosities. He came to terms with the horror he had experienced as prisoner of war. “I cannot
forget though,” he said, “I will never forget.”
“I will never forget.”
In 1953, he was posted to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he would stay for the remainder of his
military career and until his retirement in 1979. At Ft Riley, Kansas, he started the process to
bring his family to the United States, which was composed of his wife and seven children.
Initially, my brother Matt and I were prioritized due to our age. We departed the Philippines
from Port Area, Manila on board the U.S.S. Sultan, with a stopover in Honolulu for 3 days.
Upon arrival in San Francisco, we stayed at our Aunt Bass. Within a month’s period, with the
$20 pocket money each of us had when we left Manila almost gone, we immediately reported to
the Air Force Recruiting at South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. We attended Basic Training
at Parks AFB, CA (near Hayward City).
In 1957, my father went back to the Philippines to fetch the rest of the family by plane to
Junction City, KS, two miles from Fort Riley: Two brothers: Philip and Marshall; three sisters:
Cora Fox, Liwanag Li Hendrix and Mary La Varnway. They had their share of difficulties with
the new environment. In the Philippines we had nannies and grew up as spoiled brats. Father told
us that in the states we will have to do a lot of things ourselves like washing dishes, clean the
house and other chores. We had a lot to learn but we learned fast.
My father was now feeling more of the effects of his age which made army requirements such as
the annual Command Post Exercise more difficult. The night time maneuvers were especially
difficult. He was the oldest man out there. He had arthritis and his old gunshot wound bothered
him in the cold weather. He had a total of 29 years service in the U.S. Army. He decided a
26
civilian job would be better which would give him more time to spend with his family, so
retirement from the military would be the best move. After talking it over with our mother, he
finally retired from the Army.
But after his military discharge, he discovered that finding good employment was not that easy.
Our mother got a job at the Post. Knowing of the financial hardship, I made an allotment
monthly to my parents. After trying a few different jobs in Junction City, dad was offered a Civil
Service position that he held for 21 years until his retirement in 1979. At that time, the
Department of the Army awarded him the highest award available to civilian employees, the
COMMANDER’S AWARD FOR CIVILIAN SERVICE. This award was added to the many
others he received throughout his military career.
In 1982, his Junction City home was broken into and all of his medals were stolen to include the
Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars; the United Nations Service Medal; National
Defense Service Medal; Chief Infantry Badge; World War II Victory Medal; American Defense
Service Medal; Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal; Philippines Liberation Medal; Philippines
Independence Medal; Purple Heart; Presidential Unit Citation Badge; Philippine Republic
Presidential Unit Citation Badge; and three Good Conduct Medals.
A handful of Filipinos graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Vicente Lim was the first Filipino graduate. He belonged to Class of 1914, together with Dwight
Eisenhower and Omar Bradley, who later became high ranking generals of the U.S. Army during
WWII. Eisenhower of course became President of the U.S. and Bradley’s last posting was as
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the U.S. Armed Forces. Vicente Lim graduated 77th in a class of
107, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts, and rose to the rank
of Brigadier General in WWII. The West Point Class of 1914 came to be known as the Class on
whom the stars fell, because all of the graduates became general officers.
A handful of Filipinos graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point Children of the Scouts (known as "Army Soup" in pre-World War II Fort William McKinley days)
sometimes carried on their fathers' military traditions and also became member of the US Armed Forces.
Two Philippine Scout children even earned the stars of US Army generals: Lieutenant General Edward
Soriano, whose father Federico Soriano was a corporal in the 57th Infantry Regiment in Bataan, then
retired a Major from the U.S. Army. Major General Antonio M. Taguba is the son of another Philippine
Scouts, who served in the 45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division (Philippine Scouts), and also
fought in the Battle of Bataan and after capture by the Japanese survived the Bataan Death March.
Despite all the hardships and sacrifices he endured, my father was pleased at how his later life
turned out, especially the decision to come to the United States. “I wanted to do it. It was my
dream. America is a great country and possesses unlimited potential and opportunities for
personal growth, fulfillment, and success,” he said.
27 Back to page 1
A TIME FOR ALL SEASONS -- INCLUDING RETIREMENT
Narciso S. Albarracin, Jr., M.D.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1)
The author of Ecclesiastes wrote his book as a wizened man, enriched by observations and
experiences gathered over a life-time and blessed by the distillation of knowledge into wisdom. I
imagine him to be a septuagenarian. There is a haunting ring and rhythm to his "there is a time
to" declarations. A time to be born. A time to die. A time to plant. A time to uproot. Were he
living in our generation I believe that he would have included this line in the often-quoted 3rd
chapter of his book: A time to work and a time to retire.
Authorship of the Book of Ecclesiastes is attributed to Solomon. His world was agricultural. His
metaphors were therefore much influenced by Nature -- birth, death, planting, harvest, killing,
healing. Retirement was unknown in his day. With short life spans and no system for pension
savings, a person worked until he died. As king, Solomon did not know retirement. Kings did not
retire; they died, got killed, replaced, or deposed. Abdication, as the British Empire's King
Edward VIII did in 1936, is a rarity.
The concept and practice of retirement began in the late 19th century. Germany is believed to be
the first country to introduce it in 1880. At any rate, were Solomon a modern man, he would
have included within the gamut of life and living the "season" of retirement.
The concept of retirement began in the late 19th
century
There is an inherent aspect of time that may not be obvious to many, especially the young; that is
the aspect of "timing". In music, it is better understood as beat and rhythm. There is a rhythm to
life. Ecclesiastes implies it in his mention of "seasons" and in the rhythmic contrasts of life
activities. A time to plant. A time to reap. One does not harvest when it is the time to plant, nor
does one plant when it is the time to reap. Ignore the "timing" and the rhythm of life and living
loses its desired smoothness. There is a time to go to college, for instance. Miss that time and life
gets rougher. There is a time to marry and have children. Miss that time and you are forced to
make adjustments or to compensate. And, if it is not forced on an individual by health and
business reasons, there is an appropriate time for retirement.
Retirement typically gives an individual more "free" time and more "control" over time. Many
retired Filipino Catholics, particularly those involved in the Renewal, volunteer their time to
parish-related service. Some Filipinos I know purchase their retirement homes deliberately close
to church. They attend Mass daily. They serve as extraordinary ministers and lectors or choir
28
members. They serve in prayer groups. They volunteer in various committees. Retirement
becomes a time to work in the Lord's vineyard, a time to serve without thought of compensation,
a time to say "thank you" for the Lord's generosity, graces, and blessings.
In some cases, retirement becomes a time for full-time service in the Lord's "business". Consider
the case of Bob Canton of Stockton, CA, National Coordinator of the Alliance of Filipino
Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities (www.afccpc.org). He took early retirement in 2008
from his secular job as Senior Auditor/Appraiser to work full-time in the service of the Lord as
National Coordinator of AFCCPC, as Council member of ICCRS (International Catholic
Charismatic Renewal Services based in the Vatican), and evangelist of Robert Canton Ministries.
It is obvious that the Lord is using Bob in His work of evangelization during his time of
retirement. It is as if God is saying, "I have work for you to do, Bob" and many are blessed and
served by his fiat. Bob says, "I am busier in so-called 'retirement' doing God's will to further His
Kingdom. I am privileged to do His works. I consider myself very blessed in this regard."
And consider the case of Pedro Obregon, M.D., of Columbus, OH. Born in Iloilo City, he is a
graduate of Central Philippine University (CPU, Iloilo City), a Baptist mission school, and the
Far Eastern University College of Medicine. Following retirement from general surgery practice,
he and his wife, Judith, founded Medical Ministry International, serving the healthcare needs of
underprivileged people around the world. With other healthcare volunteers, they have served
medical missions in Rwanda, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, India, Mexico, Jamaica,
Haiti, Honduras, China, El Salvador, Ecuador, Africa, Romania, Zimbabwe, New Guinea,
Ukraine, Thailand, Nepal, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Madagascar, Ghana, and Tanzania.
Dr. Obregon says, “It’s been a rewarding experience and we will continue doing this as long as
the Lord gives us good health and the funds to continue with His work.”
Yes, in God's grand scheme of things, there is a time to work for pay and a time to retire which
may free and yield time to practice discipleship in a special and more expanded way. There is a
time to make a living and a time to live a life.
In God's grand scheme of things, there is a time to work for pay
and a time to retire…
There is a time for all seasons. There is a time to work and raise a family. There is a time for
retirement. For those so blessed and so privileged, may God bless you in your "season" of
retirement. But whether it is time for work or time for retirement, time, no matter what, is
entirely a gift to us from God. St. Irenaeus said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." I'd say in
a similar vein, "The glory of God is man using his/her time wisely, fully aware of its beat,