From the Foreword. Philippine history is replete with Filipino heroes. This was especially more so during World War II when the Philippines was invaded by Japan. Many - or most - Filipino heroes, however, are unfortunately unknown to the present generation. Some medals and citations were awarded in the years just following World War II, and memorials and monuments were erected. Although memorial ceremonies were - and continue to be - held, the heroes usually remain in the background as other people take center stage. Thus, the really deserving men and women have faded into obscurity, lumped together in vague generalizations and cliches in speeches and books.
Furthermore, most of the histories of World War II in the Philippines have focused on Luzon. The battles fought on Luzon were, of course, important in the war effort, and in the wresting of the Philippines from the Japanese. But there were significant battles fought in the Visayas and Mindanao, battles which may be known in their immediate locality but not in the national consciousness.
