[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 31 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              IN HONOR OF FAUSTINO ``MANG PEPING'' BACLIG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2011

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an American 
hero, Faustino ``Mang Peping'' Baclig, who passed away Sunday, February 
27, 2011. Family and friends will be gathering for a memorial service 
on March 4 in Los Angeles to honor his long and full life, which was 
marked by heroism, dedicated community service, and incredible 
friendships. We are comforted knowing that today he rests in peace.
  Faustino Baclig was born in the Philippines on February 14, 1922 to 
Irene Imperio Baclig and Fermin Gonzales Baclig. Known as Cabugao's 
town scholar, he completed his primary schooling in four years, skipped 
two grades and went on to study law at Lyceum of the Philippines 
University. He also received his Bachelor of Science in Political 
Science at the University of the Philippines and a Bachelor of Science 
in Elementary Education from the Philippine College of Arts and Trade. 
After finishing his education by age 17, he began his military career 
at Camp John Hay in Baguio City, Philippines.
  In 1941, by military order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, all 
members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines were inducted into 
the United States military. Faustino Baclig was among those who served 
and fought heroically under the American flag in World War II. He 
survived the Death March of Bataan in 1942, the 61 mile forced trek 
where 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war suffered 
inhumanities and only 54,000 reached their destination alive.
  After World War II and the liberation of the Philippines, Faustino 
Baclig met the love of his life, Francisca, and they married in 1952. 
They were blessed with two children, Frecie Maria and Filomin ``Omi'' 
Antonio. In the Philippines, Faustino Baclig enjoyed a successful 
career as a college professor, vice president of Provident Memorial 
Life Plans and as a principal in the family business.
  In 1986, at the age of 64, Faustino, known to all as Mang Peping for 
the respect and honor he had earned, immigrated to the United States 
with his family. Soon after, he took the United States Oath of 
Allegiance and became a U.S. citizen. He spent his later years 
advocating for the issues that he most cherished and volunteered in the 
community. Mang Peping served as a commissioner on the Los Angeles 
County Board of Supervisors' Adult Day Health Care Planning Council, 
co-founded the Golden Agers of Los Angeles, and served as a board 
member for People's Core, a local community organizing agency. He also 
was a member of the Filipino American Service Group (FASGI) and Fil-Am 
Vote.
  In 1993, Mang Peping began a historic journey for Filipino veteran 
justice in 1993, when he convened the first Southern California 
Veterans Conference. This important meeting brought together hundreds 
of Filipino veterans to advocate for recognition, justice and equity 
for those who fought bravely alongside American soldiers in World War 
II. For while Mang Peping and Filipino soldiers had sworn allegiance to 
the United States flag and helped America defeat the Axis powers in 
1945, the U.S. Congress committed an enormous injustice one year later 
when it passed the Rescission Act of 1946. This act intentionally 
stripped Filipino veterans of the benefit they had earned as soldiers 
fighting under General Douglas MacArthur.
  This is how I was first introduced to Mang Peping. He personally took 
on the struggle for justice for all Filipino veterans and became an 
inspiration for my work in the House of Representatives for Filipino 
veteran equity. Our country owes an invaluable debt of gratitude to 
veterans like Mang Peping who risked their lives on battlefields 
throughout this world to protect the basic freedoms that Americans 
enjoy today. At its very core, the exclusion and discrimination against 
Filipino veterans by the Rescission Act of 1946 was a supreme 
injustice.
  In 2009, after more than 60 years of waiting, the Filipino Veteran 
Equity Compensation Fund became law. Filipino veterans finally received 
compensation for their courageous service during World War II. Because 
of the heroic work of individuals like Mang Peping, Filipino veterans 
not only received just compensation but the overdue recognition for 
their contributions to America's stand for freedom and democracy.
  I have never been more certain about anything as this: Mang Peping's 
leadership and his fighting spirit will never be forgotten. Our deepest 
sympathies are extended to his loving wife Francisca; children, Frecie 
and Filomin ``Omi'' and their families, on the passing of their 
champion for dignity and humanity.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with deep affection and heartfelt sorrow, yet with 
great pride and abundant admiration that I ask my colleagues to join me 
today in saluting Faustino ``Mang Peping'' Baclig, an American hero and 
a man I was honored to call my friend. May he rest in peace.

                          ____________________