Fifty (50) Filipino World War II veterans were posthumously and personally honored during the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal Awarding Ceremony held on February 25, 2026 at the Big 8 Corporate Hotel, Tagum City.

Of the 50 awardees, two were living veterans who received the recognition, Sergeant Alfredo DL. Del Rosario, ASN-UNK INF (INACT) and Corporal Rufino A. Simon Jr., ASN-UNK INF (INACT).

In his message, Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the United States in the Philippines Y. Robert Ewing highlighted that this event reflects the shared bonds of US and the Philippines had as partners of prosperity, as friends, and as allies.

“This ceremony embodies the best of our connections with the Philippines and I was so please today that we had a living veteran Alfredo De Leon Del Rosario… I think that reflects to this day the shared bonds that we have between the US and the Philippines…and we are here to continue that partnership,” Ewing said.

The ceremony was also attended by Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs of the Philippines Pablo M. Lorenzo who underscored the importance of remembering and preserving the contributions of Filipino veterans.

Davao del Norte Governor Edwin “Kuya Gov” Jubahib, together with Vice Governor Clarice Jubahib, led in paying tribute to the awardees. Governor Jubahib expressed his gratitude to the veterans, saying that the freedoms enjoyed today were made possible by their courage and hard-fought battles during the war.

“Dako kaayo tag pagpasalamat sa ilang pagbuwis-buhay para i-defend and atong nasud…sa ilang pagpaningkamot aron ma protektahan ta laban sa mga dayuhan nga gusto mosakop sa atoa, ang produkto niini kay kita karon ug ang development kung unsa man ang naa ta,” Kuya Gov thanked.

The awarding was conducted pursuant to U.S. Public Law 114-265, an act authorizing the awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino World War II veterans in recognition of their dedicated service alongside American forces during the war.