Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) recently sponsored the Manila Premiere of “Unsurrendered: 100 voices” – a video documentary featuring the lives and stories of the Filipino Guerillas and “Bolomen” of World War II.

This was last February 26, 2009 at the Ayala Museum, Greenbelt 5. The affair’s guests include members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from the business community and Filipino-Chinese community. Some of the veterans interviewed in the documentary were also present.

The documentary takes a unique approach to its story-telling by using the recounting done by 100 men and women, both Filipino and American, of the Guerilla movement themselves, without any voice-over or narrator. In some instances, the narrations were done by the children where the veteran has passed away. The documentary likewise captures the myriad emotions felt by these people during that time: the helplessness, fear, anger, a desire for vengeance and even the Filipino’s penchant for humor during hard times.

Many WWII photographs and film footages are also used to highlight the drama and provide a backdrop to the story-telling. It presents many aspects of the war from all over the country but comes across as a cohesive chronicle of events. It tells of the heroism and bravery of the Filipino race.

The documentary is produced by Peter Parsons, son of Commander Chick Parsons, and Lucky Guillermo and is a product of many years of interviewing men and women from all over the archipelago and the United States, who tell their tales from one of the darkest periods in Philippine History. Some of them have already passed on , their voices already silent, highlighting the importance of preserving the oral histories of these heroes.

Veterans Bank agreed to support Parson’s and Guillermo’s project, given its dose affiliation to the Filipino WWII heroes.

Roman Paz salutes while singing the Philippine National Anthem

SVP / Atty. Federico Manalo and Pres. Ricardo A. Balbido, Jr. is joined by Usec. Ernesto Carolina, PVAO Administrator

L-R:Pres. Ricardo Balbido, Amb. Miguel Perez-Rubio, VP Mike Villa-Real, Lucky Guillermo, Producer of Unsurrendered: 100 voices and Col. Arturo Gatmaitan

The crowd composed of Veterans and some representatives in business community and Filipino Chinese Community.

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For any questions or clarifications, please call:
Mike Villa-Real
Vice-President
Corporate Communications and Marketing Services Dept.
Tel: 902-1670
Email: mcvillareal@veteransbank.com.ph