(left to right) Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense and Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office General Reynaldo B. Mapagu (ret.), Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, and President and COO of Philippine Veterans Bank Mr. Renato A. Claravall view WWII memorabilia displayed at the WAR OF OUR FATHERS – A Brotherhood of Heroes Exhibit

Veterans Bank Exhibit at the 78th Lingayen Gulf Landings Anniversary in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan with World War II veterans and their families, officials from the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), heads of national agencies and Local Government Units, and representatives from the academe celebrated the 78th Lingayen Gulf Landings Anniversary and the 16th Pangasinan Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial Park in Lingayen on January 9, 2023.

Service Awards were conferred to eight (8) veterans during the event: Private First Class Ricardo C. Manzano Sr., Philippine Scout (97 years old), Private Pedro Hiteroza, Infantry (98 years old), Private Juan DG. Cristobal, Infantry (98 years old), Private Marcelo M. Tapiador, Infantry (98 years old), Corporal Victorina G. Urmaza, Women Auxiliary Service (99 years old), Private First Class Hospicio N. Mallari, Infantry (101 years old), Corporal Adriano S. Salomon, Infantry (102 years old), Private First Class Valentin M. Untalan, Philippine Scouts (106 years old). The Nightingales, a group of singers whose talents have graced countries all over, also serenaded the veterans and other guests at the event.