Veteran of World War II from Tanauan City, honored

By Thiago Santos Provincial Government of Batangas, led by Governor Dodo Mandanas with Fidel Gonzales Macahia, a World War II veteran from ...

By Thiago Santos

Provincial Government of Batangas, led by Governor Dodo Mandanas with Fidel Gonzales Macahia, a World War II veteran from the City of Tanauan, Batangas. (Photo from Batangas PIO)

TANAUAN CITY, Batangas - For his bravery and service to the country, the Provincial Government of Batangas, led by Governor Hermilando Mandanas, together with the Board Members of the Provincial Council, honored Fidel Gonzales Macahia, a World War II veteran from the City of Tanauan, Batangas.

Macahia was one of the Filipinos who enlisted in the 224th Infantry Station of the Philippine Constabulary and saw combat in World War II. He is revered as a national hero for his selfless service in the fight for Filipino independence.



According to reports, Macahia was lucky to survive all the hardships he went through when Japan occupied the Philippines. Even in the so-called Death March, where captured Filipino and American soldiers were marched almost 105 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan, to Capaz, Tarlac, the Batangueo soldiers were among those who survived the danger.

The bravery and patriotism of Macahia did not end with the war. He remained in the military and rose to prominence as a community leader, motivating future generations of Filipinos to defend their independence. Macahia was hired as a security and intelligence officer by former Speaker Jose B. Laurel Jr.

His family's success can be traced back to March of 1986, when he immigrated to the United States as a veteran of the United States' armed forces. After serving as a consultant for the Knights of Columbus until 2014, he was elected Grand Knight of the Baltimore Council in 2011. Upon his return to the Philippines a few years later, he joined the Batangas Forum.

In addition, the provincial government of Macahia, which will be celebrating its centennial on April 24, 2023, provided the city with a bonus.

Tanaueño centenarian agrees with Governor Mandanas that he is "a true inspiration and a wonderful hero who defended our country during the war, who is part of our history, and an example of a brave Filipino Batangueño."