Filipino Sports Heroes who displayed true heroism during the war

Plaque honoring Filipino Sports Heroes who died in service in World War II to be restored

By Andrew Pirie

Jun 9, 2014

I want to note that Miss Nancy (curator of the PSC Museum), myself, and PSC Engineer and PSL Technical Committee head Alfredo Mascardo Jr.

We were able to solve the mystery of the three faded/missing names on the war Plaque. Outside the Basketball stadium in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. The Plaque carries the name of thirty athletes who died in service during World War II. Due to age the Plaque only had a few letters left on which we needed to solve the names.

However thanks to the article (below) by Eddie Alinea of Manila Standard. We were able to identify the three faded names which will allow for the restoration of the War plaque. In time for the centenary of Filipino sports being celebrated later this week.

The three names were

  • Alejo Alvarez (Athletics)
  • Carlos Canilas (Basketball)
  • Jose Miranda (Football)

Sports Heroes who displayed true heroism during the war

By Eddie Alinea

Manila Standard, June 8, 2014

Filipinos who know their sports history recognize that it was swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso who gave the Philippines its first Olympic medal—a bronze in the 200-meter breaststroke in the 1928 Games in London.

That was four years after an obscure sprinter by the name of David Nepomuceno. Opened the door for Filipino athletes’ participation in the every-four-year event among the universe’s finest athletes in 1924 in Paris.

The 1936 Philippine basketball team poses with several tall and hefty members of the champion squad in the United States. Fifth from the left back row is Jacinto “Jumping Jack” Ciria Cruz (with the ball). Other Filipino players (in black sweatshirts) are )standing from left) Primitivo Martinez, Franco Marquicias and at far right coach Dioniso “Chito” Calvo. Not in the picture are team captain Ambrosio Padilla, Charles Borck, Fortunato Yambao

The pride of Piddig town in Ilocos Norte repeated the feat four years later in 1932 in Los Angeles. Where he spearheaded the country’s richest haul of three bronze medals in the “Greatest Sports Show On Earth,”. Finishing third, too, in his favorite event. High jumper Simeon Toribio and featherweight fighter Jose “Cely” Villanueva duplicated the Ilocano tanker’s feat by romping off a bronze each in the same year.

But perhaps only a few know that Yldefonso was the only Filipino athlete to be elevated to swimming’s Hall of Fame.

An honor that was bestowed on him by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) five years ago in 2009.

In handing the honor to Yldefonso. FINA also took notice of the Filipino’s unfamiliar style,  now known as “Yldefonso Stroke” which has been adopted by pint-sized swimmers, especially Asians,  particularly the Japanese.

Not many know too that Yldefonso, was a member of the famous Philippine Scouts even when he was still active as an athlete. Put his life on the line in the field of combat in defense of the country’s Independence during the Filipino-Japanese War.

Yldefonso died in the infamous Capas Concentration Camp in Tarlac. Along with his comrades during the long, murderous Tarlac-Bataan Death March perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Army.

 

Eight other Filipino Olympians, who represented the country in several Summer Games died serving the country during the war.

They were track stars Miguel White and Lt. Nemesio de Guzman, basketball players Jacinto “Jumping Jack” Ciria Cruz, and Amador Obordo. Another swimmer Abduramam Ali, Lt. Otoniel Gonzaga in shooting, Lt. Simplicio de Castro in boxing, and Lt. Enrique Jurado in wrestling.

White, a native of Legaspi City, Albay,  won the country’s lone medal in the 1936 Berlin Games. Winning the bronze in the 400-m low hurdles while owning the distinction of sharing the Olympic stage with legendary track star Jesse Owens of the United States.

White,  who had joined the guerilla movement during the war. Was killed by the Japanese forces d somewhere in the Southern Luzon-Bicol area.

Double bronze medalist Teofilo
Yldefonso Up close

Ciria Cruz and Obordo, meanwhile, were members of the Philippine basketball team. That ended up third the first time the basketball was held in Berlin. In what could have been a silver medal had it not for the quirk in the format.

The national quintet,  nicknamed “The Islanders” by appreciative German fans because of their in and off-court demeanor. Won all, except one of their assignments, losing only to the eventual champion, the United States.

Skippered by then senator-to-be Ambrosio “Paddy” Padiila,  other members of the squad, coached by FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Hall of Famer Dionisio “Chito” Calvo, were Primitivo Martinez, Charlie Borck, Jesus Marzan, Franco Marquicias, Fortunato Yambao, Bibiano Ouano and Johnny Worrel.

Cruz, who incidentally, was named co-Outstanding Athletes of Half-A-Century by the PAAF along with Yldefonso and football ace Virgilio Lobregat, was executed by Japanese soldiers in Bayombong, Nueva Ecija in 1944.

Of the 52 on the list, 19 were international campaigners in athletics, 10 in swimming, nine in baseball, five in basketball, three in boxing, two in football, two in tennis, and one each in wrestling.

Lt. De Guzman of the Philippine Army was White’s teammate in the national athletics contingent in the 1936 Games of the Olympics. Where Lt.  Gonzaga and De Castro both saw action. Ali was Yldefonso’s swimming teammate in the IXth Olympiad in 1932 in L.A.

De Guzman finished third in the trials of the 100-meter and failed to make it to the semifinal round as only the top two finishers qualified. He was fourth in his heat in the 200 meters and was again left out of the next round.

Gonzaga wound up 31st in the target pistol (ring) event. The same finish in a tie for the 31st and 32nd in the miniature rifle event. Ali matched De Guzman’s third-place finish in trials of the 100-meter freestyle event and, likewise, failed to make it to the semis.

Jurado,  who wrestled as a bantamweight. Lost his first two assignments. Boxer De Castro, on the other hand, defeated Saucassiabi of Luxemburg in the opening round but bowed to Frenchman Tritz in his next bout.

 

Other Athletes

Besides White and De Guzman, track and field athletes, who died in defense of the country’s freedom was Miguel Sugeco, Sgt. Domingo Espanol, Lt. Jose Antonio, Mayor Emilio Bucoy, Wenceslao Bansale, Eliseo Razo, Civico Granado, Maximino Pasaporte, Albino Bangayan, Delfin Danguilan, Lt. Constantino Alambra, Moises Lucas, Felizardo Casia, Francisco Danao, Bartolome Barabad, Alejo Alvarez and Simon Santos.

Joining Yldefonso and Ali in the roster of swimmers who emerged as heroes both in the international field and on the battlefield were non-Olympians Rosendo Aguinaldo, Policarpio Tolentino, Donato Cabading, Miguel Bartolaso, Ulka Mangona, Jakaria Angkang, Bernardino Tugbo, and Mauricio Guidote.

Outstanding baseball players who led the Philippine IX to six Far Eastern Games championships were Sgt.  Aquilino Jacob, Cpl. Pablo Chu, Sgt. Gervacio Estorba, Atilano “Django” Rivera, Cacimiro Francisco, Ramon Oncinian, Toribio Oncinian, Regino Bertulfo and Cipriano Platon.  

Rivera was the first Filipino ball player to see action in the rich and prestigious Japanese League. But ironically, was killed by Japanese soldiers when he returned home during the war.

Ramon and Toribio Oncinian were siblings of the more illustrious Armando. The pitcher became famous when he struck out American baseball legend Babe Ruth during the U.S. Major League champion New York Yankees’ exhibition series. Against local teams in the 1930s.      

Like Ciria Cruz and Obordo, Carlos Canillas, Albert Murrow, and Robert Keesy also made their mark in many international basketball competitions.

 

More Sports Heroes

Francisco Zarcal, a USAFFE member, and police officer Martin Roxas. Were the only other boxers besides De Castro whose names were etched on the bronze marker with Jose Miranda joining Lobregat as a sports hero in football.

The Lobregat football field in Makati where the statue of the late former Sen. Benigno Aquino, father of President P-Noy, is located, was named after soccer great Virgilio Lobregat.

Concepcion Santos-Cepeda,  a nurse, is the 1921 national singles and doubles titleholder in tennis and was the only female athlete on the list. She was the sister of track and field honoree Simon Santos.  Joining her on the list was another tennis player Juan Ladaw.

In their honor, along with 42  other athlete-soldiers/scouts, the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (the ruling sports body at that time).  Installed a 33 x 24 inches bronze marker on July 17, 1951. Containing their names on the left wall of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum façade. in a ceremony presided over by PAAF president Jorge Vargas.

More than 50 sports association officials, along with their relatives, attended the unveiling of the marker. Letran College athletic moderator, Fr. Martin Diez, 0.P. assisted Vargas in the formal dedication. 

Since then, however, the plaque had been ill-maintained and the names of the honorees barely readable.

When informed of the historical value of the marker.  Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ritchie Garcia ordered the restoration of the signage. In time for the commemoration of the 116th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day on June 12.

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

 

 

 

xosotin chelseathông tin chuyển nhượngcâu lạc bộ bóng đá arsenalbóng đá atalantabundesligacầu thủ haalandUEFAevertonxosokeonhacaiketquabongdalichthidau7m.newskqbdtysokeobongdabongdalufutebol ao vivofutemaxmulticanaisonbethttps://bsport.fithttps://onbet88.ooohttps://i9bet.bizhttps://hi88.ooohttps://okvip.athttps://f8bet.athttps://fb88.cashhttps://vn88.cashhttps://shbet.atbóng đá world cupbóng đá inter milantin juventusbenzemala ligaclb leicester cityMUman citymessi lionelsalahnapolineymarpsgronaldoserie atottenhamvalenciaAS ROMALeverkusenac milanmbappenapolinewcastleaston villaliverpoolfa cupreal madridpremier leagueAjaxbao bong da247EPLbarcelonabournemouthaff cupasean footballbên lề sân cỏbáo bóng đá mớibóng đá cúp thế giớitin bóng đá ViệtUEFAbáo bóng đá việt namHuyền thoại bóng đágiải ngoại hạng anhSeagametap chi bong da the gioitin bong da lutrận đấu hôm nayviệt nam bóng đátin nong bong daBóng đá nữthể thao 7m24h bóng đábóng đá hôm naythe thao ngoai hang anhtin nhanh bóng đáphòng thay đồ bóng đábóng đá phủikèo nhà cái onbetbóng đá lu 2thông tin phòng thay đồthe thao vuaapp đánh lô đềdudoanxosoxổ số giải đặc biệthôm nay xổ sốkèo đẹp hôm nayketquaxosokq xskqxsmnsoi cầu ba miềnsoi cau thong kesxkt hôm naythế giới xổ sốxổ số 24hxo.soxoso3mienxo so ba mienxoso dac bietxosodientoanxổ số dự đoánvé số chiều xổxoso ket quaxosokienthietxoso kq hôm nayxoso ktxổ số megaxổ số mới nhất hôm nayxoso truc tiepxoso ViệtSX3MIENxs dự đoánxs mien bac hom nayxs miên namxsmientrungxsmn thu 7con số may mắn hôm nayKQXS 3 miền Bắc Trung Nam Nhanhdự đoán xổ số 3 miềndò vé sốdu doan xo so hom nayket qua xo xoket qua xo so.vntrúng thưởng xo sokq xoso trực tiếpket qua xskqxs 247số miền nams0x0 mienbacxosobamien hôm naysố đẹp hôm naysố đẹp trực tuyếnnuôi số đẹpxo so hom quaxoso ketquaxstruc tiep hom nayxổ số kiến thiết trực tiếpxổ số kq hôm nayso xo kq trực tuyenkết quả xổ số miền bắc trực tiếpxo so miền namxổ số miền nam trực tiếptrực tiếp xổ số hôm nayket wa xsKQ XOSOxoso onlinexo so truc tiep hom nayxsttso mien bac trong ngàyKQXS3Msố so mien bacdu doan xo so onlinedu doan cau loxổ số kenokqxs vnKQXOSOKQXS hôm naytrực tiếp kết quả xổ số ba miềncap lo dep nhat hom naysoi cầu chuẩn hôm nayso ket qua xo soXem kết quả xổ số nhanh nhấtSX3MIENXSMB chủ nhậtKQXSMNkết quả mở giải trực tuyếnGiờ vàng chốt số OnlineĐánh Đề Con Gìdò số miền namdò vé số hôm nayso mo so debach thủ lô đẹp nhất hôm naycầu đề hôm naykết quả xổ số kiến thiết toàn quốccau dep 88xsmb rong bach kimket qua xs 2023dự đoán xổ số hàng ngàyBạch thủ đề miền BắcSoi Cầu MB thần tàisoi cau vip 247soi cầu tốtsoi cầu miễn phísoi cau mb vipxsmb hom nayxs vietlottxsmn hôm naycầu lô đẹpthống kê lô kép xổ số miền Bắcquay thử xsmnxổ số thần tàiQuay thử XSMTxổ số chiều nayxo so mien nam hom nayweb đánh lô đề trực tuyến uy tínKQXS hôm nayxsmb ngày hôm nayXSMT chủ nhậtxổ số Power 6/55KQXS A trúng roycao thủ chốt sốbảng xổ số đặc biệtsoi cầu 247 vipsoi cầu wap 666Soi cầu miễn phí 888 VIPSoi Cau Chuan MBđộc thủ desố miền bắcthần tài cho sốKết quả xổ số thần tàiXem trực tiếp xổ sốXIN SỐ THẦN TÀI THỔ ĐỊACầu lô số đẹplô đẹp vip 24hsoi cầu miễn phí 888xổ số kiến thiết chiều nayXSMN thứ 7 hàng tuầnKết quả Xổ số Hồ Chí Minhnhà cái xổ số Việt NamXổ Số Đại PhátXổ số mới nhất Hôm Nayso xo mb hom nayxxmb88quay thu mbXo so Minh ChinhXS Minh Ngọc trực tiếp hôm nayXSMN 88XSTDxs than taixổ số UY TIN NHẤTxs vietlott 88SOI CẦU SIÊU CHUẨNSoiCauVietlô đẹp hôm nay vipket qua so xo hom naykqxsmb 30 ngàydự đoán xổ số 3 miềnSoi cầu 3 càng chuẩn xácbạch thủ lônuoi lo chuanbắt lô chuẩn theo ngàykq xo-solô 3 càngnuôi lô đề siêu vipcầu Lô Xiên XSMBđề về bao nhiêuSoi cầu x3xổ số kiến thiết ngày hôm nayquay thử xsmttruc tiep kết quả sxmntrực tiếp miền bắckết quả xổ số chấm vnbảng xs đặc biệt năm 2023soi cau xsmbxổ số hà nội hôm naysxmtxsmt hôm nayxs truc tiep mbketqua xo so onlinekqxs onlinexo số hôm nayXS3MTin xs hôm nayxsmn thu2XSMN hom nayxổ số miền bắc trực tiếp hôm naySO XOxsmbsxmn hôm nay188betlink188 xo sosoi cầu vip 88lô tô việtsoi lô việtXS247xs ba miềnchốt lô đẹp nhất hôm naychốt số xsmbCHƠI LÔ TÔsoi cau mn hom naychốt lô chuẩndu doan sxmtdự đoán xổ số onlinerồng bạch kim chốt 3 càng miễn phí hôm naythống kê lô gan miền bắcdàn đề lôCầu Kèo Đặc Biệtchốt cầu may mắnkết quả xổ số miền bắc hômSoi cầu vàng 777thẻ bài onlinedu doan mn 888soi cầu miền nam vipsoi cầu mt vipdàn de hôm nay7 cao thủ chốt sốsoi cau mien phi 7777 cao thủ chốt số nức tiếng3 càng miền bắcrồng bạch kim 777dàn de bất bạion newsddxsmn188betw88w88789bettf88sin88suvipsunwintf88five8812betsv88vn88Top 10 nhà cái uy tínsky88iwinlucky88nhacaisin88oxbetm88vn88w88789betiwinf8betrio66rio66lucky88oxbetvn88188bet789betMay-88five88one88sin88bk88xbetoxbetMU88188BETSV88RIO66ONBET88188betM88M88SV88Jun-68Jun-88one88iwinv9betw388OXBETw388w388onbetonbetonbetonbet88onbet88onbet88onbet88onbetonbetonbetonbetqh88mu88Nhà cái uy tínpog79vp777vp777vipbetvipbetuk88uk88typhu88typhu88tk88tk88sm66sm66me88me888live8live8livesm66me88win798livesm66me88win79pog79pog79vp777vp777uk88uk88tk88tk88luck8luck8kingbet86kingbet86k188k188hr99hr99123b8xbetvnvipbetsv66zbettaisunwin-vntyphu88vn138vwinvwinvi68ee881xbetrio66zbetvn138i9betvipfi88clubcf68onbet88ee88typhu88onbetonbetkhuyenmai12bet-moblie12betmoblietaimienphi247vi68clupcf68clupvipbeti9betqh88onb123onbefsoi cầunổ hũbắn cáđá gàđá gàgame bàicasinosoi cầuxóc đĩagame bàigiải mã giấc mơbầu cuaslot gamecasinonổ hủdàn đềBắn cácasinodàn đềnổ hũtài xỉuslot gamecasinobắn cáđá gàgame bàithể thaogame bàisoi cầukqsssoi cầucờ tướngbắn cágame bàixóc đĩa开云体育开云体育开云体育乐鱼体育乐鱼体育乐鱼体育亚新体育亚新体育亚新体育爱游戏爱游戏爱游戏华体会华体会华体会IM体育IM体育沙巴体育沙巴体育PM体育PM体育AG尊龙AG尊龙AG尊龙AG百家乐AG百家乐AG百家乐AG真人AG真人<AG真人<皇冠体育皇冠体育PG电子PG电子万博体育万博体育KOK体育KOK体育欧宝体育江南体育江南体育江南体育半岛体育半岛体育半岛体育凯发娱乐凯发娱乐杏彩体育杏彩体育杏彩体育FB体育PM真人PM真人<米乐娱乐米乐娱乐天博体育天博体育开元棋牌开元棋牌j9九游会j9九游会开云体育AG百家乐AG百家乐AG真人AG真人爱游戏华体会华体会im体育kok体育开云体育开云体育开云体育乐鱼体育乐鱼体育欧宝体育ob体育亚博体育亚博体育亚博体育亚博体育亚博体育亚博体育开云体育开云体育棋牌棋牌沙巴体育买球平台新葡京娱乐开云体育mu88qh88