CANDAHUG, Palo, Leyte-- Giving honors to the oldest living World War II (WWII) veteran in Eastern Visayas was the highlight of the 65th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration Tuesday (October 20, 2009) at the MacArthur Park Landing Memorial, this town.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho L. Petilla led in giving honors to Isabelo C. Figueroa, 95 years old of Calanipawan, Tacloban City, a corporal of the 97th Infantry 93rd Division during the War, who was declared the oldest living WWII hero in Region 8 by the Regional Search for the Oldest Living WWII Veteran.

Bestowed with the same honors were nine finalists namely, Francisco R. Diaz, 94 years old, Tacloban City, also corporal; Porferio Sao, 94 years old of Dulag, Leyte, Private First Class; Jesus P. Mahay, 93 years old of Basey, Samar, Private First Class; Felicisimo N. Gonzaga, 93 years old of Palo, Leyte, Private; Calixto Real, 93 years old, Tacloban City, Sergeant; Pedro Y. Echanez, 92 years old, Basey, Samar, Private; Dimafiles E. Teopisto, 92 years old, Palo, Leyte, a Sergeant; Catalino Vivero, 91 years old, Tolosa, Leyte, Private First Class; and Marcelino Negro, 91 years old, Tacloban City, Technical Sergeant.

Figueroa received a plaque of recognition, gift certificates, and a cash prize of R50,000 while the nine finalists also received plaques of recognition, gift certificates, and cash prize of R10,000 each.
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro was also present during the commemorative program carrying the theme: A Salute to the Valor of Our Last Living Heroes.

United States (US) Ambassador Christie Kenny and representatives from the Allied Nations from Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Australia graced the commemorative event. Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura also attended.

Sixty-five years ago on October 20 the Allied Forces headed by Gen. Douglas McArthur landed on Red Beach, Palo, Leyte that led to the eventual liberation of the Philippines from the clutches of the Japanese Imperial Army.

The commemorative rites started at 4:30 a.m. with the officials of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) and the Sons and Daughters Association, Inc. honoring the Unknown Soldiers who died in the Gulf Landings during the traditional Veterans Sunrise Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park in Candahug, Palo.

Preparation for the 65th marking of Leyte Gulf Landings kicked-off August 21, 2009 with the launching of the Search of the Oldest Living Veteran of Leyte spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Leyte Gulf and the Provincial Government of Leyte.
The first major activities of the Leyte Gulf Landings included Signal Day in Tolosa town on October 18. That highlighted the heroic acts of Scout Valeriano Abello, Antero Junia Sr. and Vicente Tiston.

Accounts have it that these young scouts were at the hilltops of Brgy. Telegrafu in Tolosa, Leyte who signaled the incoming Allied Forces of Liberation on Oct. 18, 1944 not to bomb the shoreline from Abuyog to Tacloban because local residents were inhabiting the areas.