The Cebuano war heroes part 2
Among the hundreds of Cebuano patriots, a few of them received medals and awards, here they are:
Lieutenant Colonel Alejandro Durano Almendras - Born on February 27, 1919, he was the son of spouses Paulo Almendras and Elisea Mercado Durano of Danao, Cebu. At the young age of 23 he was designated as Commander of the 88th Infantry Regiment of the Cebu Area Command headed by the legendary American WWII hero, Colonel James Cushing.
Alejandro, nicknamed “Landring,” went to Davao after the war and studied Law at the Mindanao Colleges, as a Law student he ran as Governor of Davao in 1951 and won. He served in that office from 1951 to 1958. When he ran for senator in 1959, he chose Atty. Vicente Duterte as his replacement (a relative and appointed mayor of Danao in 1945 by Don Sergio Osmeña Sr., who was president, but when the latter lost to Senator Manuel Roxas in 1946, he left Danao and migrated to Southern Leyte, then later to Davao).
Almendras was a long-serving senator; he held the office from December 30, 1959 until the senate was padlocked by President Marcos two days after he declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972. When Marcos convened the Interim Batasang Pambansa in 1978, Almendras won representing “Southern Mindanao” (the assemblymen then were elected by regions). The interim Batasang Pambansa existed from June 12, 1978 to June 5, 1984, as it was replaced by the Regular Batasang Pambansa.
This is the citation of his award (contained in the book “Tabunan,” written by Colonel Manuel Segura:
“The Gold Cross Medal under GO No. 63 HPA 1946 for service from 23 April 11 to 11 May 1945, while commanding the 88th Inf. Regt. In an offensive against the Japanese at Batawang and Salima Ridges and Kantakuyan and Gumbang Springs. His citation reads: “During the entire operation, he stayed with his troops on the firing lines, inspecting newly won positions and supervising the construction of defenses in preparation for enemy counterattacks. He also directed artillery fire on several occasions, disregarding personal safety in the face of withering enemy fire, against the vital Kantakuyan and Gumbang Springs which were heavily guarded by the enemy because of the water supply. This act contributed to the successful completion of his regiment’s mission in a short period of time.”
Almendras married Caridad Cabahug. He died on August 4, 1995. May the Cebuanos remember that Cebu indeed is the birthplace of heroes and that this is the home of great men and women.
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