NHCP honors Filipino women who showed gallantry during World War II

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has posted photos of Filipino women who exhibited gallantry during World War II (WWII) in commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) and the Philippine Veterans Week.

On Facebook, NHCP posted portraits of Magdalena Leones, Remedios Gomez-Paraiso, Josefa Capistrano, and Guedelia Pablan.

Magdalena Leones

According to the NHCP, Leones joined the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-North Luzon (USAFIP-NL) as a spy after she learned Nihongo while she was detained by the Japanese during the WWIII. 

Leones passed on "important intelligence data, radio parts, and medical supplies” and joined the Philippine Army after successfully evaded execution by bribing a guard, the NHCP said.

Remedios Gomez-Paraiso

Gomez-Paraiso was remembered by the NHCP for “her efficiency and for wearing lipstick to battle.”

A native of Mexico, Pampanga, she joined the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (Hukbalahap or Huk) in Tarlac after her father was tortured and executed by the Japanese.

Gomez-Paraiso “rose through the ranks and became a commander of squadron.” At the latter part of the WWII, she stayed with her comrades in continuing uprising until she wa captured in February 1947.

She continued to advocate for fellow Huk veterans after her release.

Josefa Capistrano

The NHCP also hailed Capistrano, who co-organized the Women’s Auxiliary Service in 1943—a unit that assisted the guerrillas by providing them food, shelter, and medical aid to the wounded.

“By the end of the war, around 3,000 had joined the WAS. She subsequently campaigned for its recognition as an official military unit. In 1963, the Women’s Auxiliary Corps was established and was only disbanded in 2013,” the NHCP said.

Guedelia Pablan, MD

Lastly, the NHCP recognized Pablan, a doctor who had given medical assistance for guerrillas in the mountains of Bataan together with nurses Bruna Calvan and Carmen Lanot.

According to the commission, Pablan cared for the guerrillas while continuing to operate makeshift hospitals in occupied areas and reporting to the Bureau of Health under the Japanese authority.

“During the Liberation, they were able to reopen a permanent hospital to take care of the sick and wounded,” the NHCP wrote.

The Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor commemorates the Fall of Bataan, which happened on April 9, 1942, to remember the thousands of Filipinos who dedicated their lives to freeing the Philippines during World War II. —VAL, GMA Integrated News