February 26, 2009 …in the middle of the night we were woke up by a phone call. News: Tabby’s grandfather died.
March 1, 2009 …the day that Yzzy’s great grand father was put to rest. Sadly, we were unable to attend due to the scheduled baptism of Yzzy.
March 2, 2009 …all set to visit Cebu.
March 3, 2009 …Hello Cebu! Yzzy meets her dad’s family and relatives.
March 4, 2009 …Goodbye Cebu… Hello Cagayan de Oro!

Another war vet dies
February 27, 2009 issue
by Mia E. Abellana
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

THE moment he learned war veterans will be receiving benefits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Alfredo Taboada declared this was the only thing he was waiting for.

Taboada, 83, was in the Perpetual Succour Hospital and had to be taken aboard an ambulance just to meet representatives from the US Embassy at the Central Command covered court.

After successfully going through the interview process last Wednesday, he died yesterday dawn. His death certificate stated he died of sepsis secondary to pneumonia while suffering other ailments.

Taboada was one of those who escorted Gen. Douglas MacArthur when he landed in Leyte in 1944, said his son Eliseo.

Pvt. Alfredo Taboada was born on June 7, 1925. His yellowed papers showed his services during World War II officially began on April 17, 1943.

Eliseo showed a copy of his father’s records, which indicated he had serial number C5-08594.

Based on his tales his father told him, Eliseo said his father never fired his issued carbine rifle.

However, his father joined the welcome party that received Gen. MacArthur upon his landing in Leyte.

Eliseo said they were extremely grateful to the representative of the US Embassy who entertained them, saying she was gracious and considerate.

Eliseo’s brother was at the covered court at 6 a.m. to get a priority number. they got number 269, but were told the panel would only be entertaining up to number 250.

Eliseo said they had to plead with the representative and explained that their father was too weak to wait. His father had already been in the hospital since Saturday.

They were told to find a way to bring Taboada to the covered court and they would attend to him.

Eliseo said they had to find an ambulance to take him all the way to Central Command. But once he was brought there, he was immediately entertained.

But what worries them is if they will get the $9,000 benefits from the US Government.

Emmanuel Pabilona, regional chief of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, said their application is still subject to approval.

Their applications will be processed in the US.

The huge number of veterans who trooped to Centcom has made representatives of the US Embassy decide to extend their interviews until today.

Pabilona said they will open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. However, he said that like yesterday, they started receiving applications as early as 7 a.m. and ended at about 8 p.m.

Pabilona said they have stopped issuing priority numbers and said that those who still haven’t gotten these numbers need not proceed to the covered court today.

he urged them instead to secure applications from the website of the US Embassy at the www.manila.usembassy.gov.

Eliseo said that at first, his father was not convinced the news was true and even dismissed their announcements.

But as he read the newspapers and more of his friends told him about it, Taboada began to believe the news.

“Mao ra gyud ni akong gipaabot (This is what I’ve been waiting for),” Taboada told his granddaugher.

They were told they will be informed about the decision in two months.

Eliseo and his siblings still haven’t told their mother Cecilia about their father’s death, saying she also suffered from a weak heart.

Up to his last days, Taboada remained active in affairs concerning war veterans.

He was post commander of the Lapinta Post (Labangon, Punta Princessa and Tisa) and continued participating in activities against his children’s advice, since they noticed he was already weak.

Like many families who were at Centcom, Eliseo’s family hopes their application will push through.

END