WW II vet Lolo Valentine, 107, a storyteller
Veteran Valentine is interviewed by PUNCH associate editor Eva Visperas. (Punchphoto by Cesar Ramirez)
IN Barangay Doyong, Calasiao, there lives a 107-year-old World War II veteran, Lolo Valentine Untalan, who loves to share his war exploits in Pangasinan and in English!
Proof of this was an interview he did that was showcased on a giant screen during a program presentation commemorating the Lingayen Landing in 1944.
When asked if he speaks English better than Pangasinan, he confidently replied, “Yeah, I can speak English,” and he did so recalling his war experiences.
In that audio-visual presentation, he spoke entirely in English, revealing his journey from a private first class in the Infantry until he earned the rank of a major during the war.
Lolo Valentine is one veteran who readily shares some personal anecdotes, including the loss of his wife and one of his eight children. He takes pride in his not being dependent on his children for financial support, and says the government pension for his service in the US Army, and from the Philippine government are enough to sustain him his simple life.
He attributes his longevity to a simple yet effective lifestyle mantra: moderation in eating. And unlike most of his age, Lolo Valentine does not rely on maintenance tablets for hypertension or diabetes.
Lolo Valentine’s adopted daughter, Tessie dela Cruz, talked about his love for storytelling, especially recounting his wartime experiences.
He shared his harrowing experiences. “Sometimes 24 hours you stay in the water, until you are relieved by someone. But sometimes, they got no replacement for me so I cannot quit my post without my replacement.”
He has this simple yet meaningful piece of advice to everyone: “Be honest to yourself and be a hardworking man in order to succeed in life.“
Lolo Valetine is one of only 37 living war veterans in Pangasinan. (Eva Visperas)
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