IN time for the 79th anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor, Philippine Veterans Bank launches the coffee table book “Mandirigma – Uniforms and Equipment of The Filipino Warrior, 1935-1945” by way of Zoom via Wilson Flores’ Pandesal Forum.

Authored by Albert Labrador, Tony Feredo, Donn Fernandez and Dondi Limgenco and edited by World War 2 historian Dr. Ricardo Jose, “Mandirigma” is packed with high-resolution, large format photographs, featuring both reenacted scenes shot from 2009 to 2021 and actual vintage World War 2 pictures.

The photographs were vetted by several experts including Dr. Jose of the UP History Department and BGen. Restituto Aguilar (Ret) who is now executive director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

The book gives readers a glimpse into the lives of hundreds of thousands of Filipino men and women who served and gave their lives for the country during World War 2.

Unknown to many, there were numerous military units that operated in the Philippines such as the USAFFE, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Constabulary, the Philippine Scouts, as well as hundreds of guerrilla groups all around the archipelago from the Commonwealth period, the Japanese Occupation and the Liberation period.

“As a son of a World War 2 veteran, the publication of this unique World War 2 book fills me with such pride as this is another means of how we as Filipinos continue to honor the legacy and sacrifice of our Filipino WW2 veterans,” Veterans Bank Chairman Roberto de Ocampo said.

Philippine Veterans Bank is the proud partner in the production of “Mandirigma,” as its contribution to the 2021 Philippine Veterans Week celebration.

The bank is proudly owned by the World War 2 veterans and their families and heirs and has supported several projects over the years to preserve and promote the stories and legacy of Filipino WW2 veterans.