QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) launched Kired Ken Tured (Strength and Courage), a book featuring the accounts of Northern Luzon freedom fighters as narrated to and written by Mr. Albert Dulnuan, on 19 May 2023 at Veterans Center, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The book tells about the story of strength and courage exemplified by the Northern Luzon freedom fighters during World War II, particularly the 11th, 14th, and 66th Infantry of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines - Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL), the 122nd Battalion Luzon Guerilla Armed Forces (LGAF), and other World War II Guerilla Units as well as civilian volunteers.

During the launch, PVAO Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Restituto L. Aguilar shared how PVAO got involved in the process of making the book.

Dulnuan, the book’s writer alo shared some of the accounts narrated to him by the guerilla fighters and civilian volunteers featured in the book. He then encouraged the audience, most especially the descendants of the World War II veterans, to read the book.

“Sa mga sons and daughters [of World War II veterans], basahin ninyo yung book, you will be inspired by that because iyon ang experiences, iyong mga sacrifices ng ating forefathers during World War II.(To the sons and daughters [of World War II veterans], read the book, you will be inspired by that because were the sacrifices of

 of our forefahers during World War II.),” he said.

The author, who is also a former municipal councilor of Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, concluded his speech with words of gratitude to PVAO, represented by its Administrator, Undersecretary Reynado B. Mapagu and Deputy Administrator, ASec. Aguilar, for helping with the launching of the book that took 20 years in the making.

USec. Mapagu found it fortunate and remarkable that Dulnuan was able to write a book that chronicles the heroic tales of the Filipino veterans which were often overlooked.

“Their stories are full of heroism, full of gallantry, full of sacrifice, that everybody should emulate especially at this time [when] we need unity amongst Filipinos so that we can move forward as a nation towards progress and prosperity,” he said.

He urged the audience to help propagate the stories and values of our Filipino veterans by taking time to read the book and relaying them to future generations. He also voiced his desire for more historical books, such as Kired Ken Tured, to be published in future. (pvao/pia-ncr)