Vice President Sara Duterte gave recognition to Davao City’s oldest war veteran, Teofilo Gamutan, on his 100th birthday on July 10, 2023, at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao.
The vice president expressed admiration and respect for the centenarian for the patriotism, bravery, and leadership that he has shown during World War II.
In her birthday message to Gamutan, the vice president said the veteran’s service during World War II will never be forgotten.
“I am here to honor a patriot. To celebrate the life of a man whose sacrifices, selflessness, and love of our country brought us our freedom as a country and sharpened our values as a nation that cradled noble heroes,” she said before the families, friends, and co-veterans of the celebrant.
Fondly called Lolo Filo by his family, Gamutan is the oldest of the four remaining war veterans of Davao City.
Duterte said that through Lolo Filo, she learned a lot about her late grandfather, Governor Vicente Duterte, who died 10 years before she was born.
“Through the stories of Sir Teofilo, nakilala ko ang Lolo Vicente ko,” she said.
Gamutan was a former commanding officer of the Headquarters Company of the 84th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army Reserve in Bohol during World War II.
“We look at you today, and we can sense the bravery of your soul and the pride in your heart as someone who fought for the Philippines,” Duterte added.
The celebration was highlighted with an outreach activity at the the Co Su Gian Home For the Aged in Buhangin, Davao City, an art exhibition, a film screening, and the launching of the coffee table book “Symphony of Sights” which depicts Gamutan’s life and roots.
