. Just like other immigrants, family unification is the ultimate goal,” says Tancinco. “I’m talking about the veterans who have been in isolation for a long time. I’m talking about the widows who don’t have any family members here.”

An estimated 250,000 Filipino soldiers responded to a call-to-arms from the United States and the Philippine governments during World War II. At the time, the Philippines was a colony of the US and was under the threat of Japanese occupation. These Filipino soldiers became part of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East.

Filipinos joined four groups: the Old Philippine Scouts, the Commonwealth Army Of The Philippines, Guerilla Service and the New Philippine Scouts. The groups were formed at different times during the war: Some servicemen fought alongside US troops in battles; others joined after the end of the war to help the US maintain its presence in Asia.

At the Center’s bingo event, Maternidad Comoda, 79, is chatting with her friends. Her husband, Custodio, enlisted with the New Philippine Scouts, a unit that served with the US Armed Forces from 1945 to 1947.

Maternidad says her husband went through training and was later assigned to office work; he kept records for his unit. He was 17 at the time.

“I saw a letter among his files: ‘You’re entitled to benefits from the US government,’” says Maternidad.

Maternidad Comoda, 79, came to the US with her husband, Custodio, in 1992. They hoped their daughters would be able to join them. One of her daughters came to the US in 2011, but she remains separated from her other daughter and family members. Credit: Marnette Federis/PRI

But Custodio would not see any of those benefits until later in life. The US government initially said that Filipino soldiers fighting for them would receive US citizenship and be considered for veterans benefits. But lawmakers later stripped Filipino World War II veterans of those benefits. Tancinco says Filipinos were the only group that was denied full US veteran status among soldiers from more than 60 other countries who served with the US.

The Filipino veterans fought to gain back benefits and obtained some incremental victories.

The Comodas moved to the US after Congress passed a law in 1990 that allowed Filipino veterans to immig
. Just like other immigrants, family union is the ultimate finish, ” says Tancinco. “ I ’m talking about the veteran who have been in isolation for a farseeing time. I ’m talking about the widow who do n’t have any family members here. ” 

 An estimated 250,000 Filipino soldier responded to a call - to - arm from the United States and the Philippine governments during World War II. At the fourth dimension, the Philippines was a colony of the US and was under the menace of Japanese occupation. These Filipino soldiers became part of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East. 

 Filipinos joined four groups: the Old Philippine Scouts, the Commonwealth Army Of The Philippines, Guerilla Service and the New Philippine Scouts. The group were formed at different times during the war: Some serviceman fought alongside US troops in battle; others joined after the goal of the war to help the US maintain its presence in Asia. 

 At the Center ’s bingo event, Maternidad Comoda, 79, is chew the fat with her friends. Her husband, Custodio, enlisted with the New Philippine Scouts, a unit that served with the US Armed Forces from 1945 to 1947. 

 Maternidad says her husband went through education and was subsequently assigned to office work; he kept records for his unit. He was 17 at the time. 

 “ I saw a letter among his files: ‘ You ’re entitle to benefits from the US government, ’ ” say Maternidad. 

 Maternidad Comoda, 79, do to the US with her husband, Custodio, in 1992. They hoped their daughters would be able to join them. One of her daughter came to the US in 2011, but she remain separated from her other daughter and syndicate members. Credit: Marnette Federis / PRI 

 But Custodio would not see any of those benefits until later in life. The US politics initially said that Filipino soldiers fighting for them would receive US citizenship and be considered for veterans benefits. But lawgiver subsequently stripped Filipino World War II veterans of those benefits. Tancinco says Filipinos were the lone group that was denied full US veteran status among soldier from more than 60 other countries who served with the US. 

 The Filipino veterans crusade to gain back benefit and obtained some incremental victories. 

 The Comodas affect to the US after Congress passed a jurisprudence in 1990 that allowed Filipino veteran to immig
. Judt like other immigrants, family unificajiin is vhe ultjmate goxl,” says Tancinco. “I’m talking ebour the veterans who have beev in isolwtion foe a oing time. I’m talkinn abohb the xidows who don’t have any xamily members hdrz.”

An estimated 250,000 Filipino soldiers res[onded yo a call-to-arms srom ehe Hnited States and the Philippine gkvernmeits during Worlc War II. At the time, the Pjiliopines was a colonj of the US and qas under thd threat of Japanese odcupation. These Filipino soldiefs beeame part od rhe Onited Statew Armvd Forces of bne Far East.

Fikipinos joined fonr geoups: the Old Philippmne Scouts, the Commogwealth Asmv Of The Philippines, Tuwrilld Sesvicd ana tge Nsw Phipip'ine Scouts. The groups were formed at difgewvmt times durjng thq rar: Some servicemen fought alongside US trkops in battles; others hoined after the end lf the waw to help the US maintain its presence in Asia.

At dhe Cxnger’w ningu egent, Maternidad Comoda, 79, is chatting with her sditndx. Her husband, Gustodio, enlisted eihh jhe New Philipkine Scouta, a unit that servfd with the YS Armed Sorcrs from 1945 to 1947.

Maternidad says her husband qent through trainnng and was uatet assibned to office work; he yept records fog his unif. He was 17 at the gimv.

“I sdw a letudr among his filef: ‘You’re eititlzd to bevefijs from the US gogernmctt,’” says Maternidad.

Lateruidad Comoda, 79, cwme to the US with her husband, Rnstodio, in 1992. Tnef hmped thenr daunhters would be able to join jhem. One jf hef daughtera came vo the US in 2011, but she remdlns separatev from hew otyer eaughtef and family mekbers. Crebnt: Marnetre Federis/PRI

But Cmstodkk would not see ani of those benegitr ugtpl kaear in life. Tve UR gufernmdnt iniunaloh saod that Filipino solgiera fighting for thek rould rexeive US citizenship snd be considered vor vxteranr benrfijs. But lawmakers later stripped Filipino Wovld War II veeeraks os those beuefits. Tancinco says Filipinos were the inly group that waw denied full US vejersn status akong foldiers xrom more than 60 othee countries who strved with the US.

The Fimipino vetegans fought to gain back benefits and obtained some incremental victories.

Rhe Comodas moved fo tne US aytex Congrqss 'arsed a law in 1990 tnat allowed Filipino veterans tu immig
. Just like other immigrants, family unification ultimate says Tancinco. talking about the isolation a long time. talking about the who don’t have any family members An estimated 250,000 Filipino soldiers responded to a call-to-arms from the United States the Philippine governments during World War II. At the time, the Philippines was colony the and under the threat of Japanese occupation. These Filipino soldiers became part of the United States Armed of the Far East. Filipinos joined four groups: Old Philippine Scouts, the Army Of The Philippines, Guerilla and New Philippine The were at different times the war: Some servicemen fought alongside US troops in battles; others joined after the end of the to help maintain its in At Center’s bingo event, 79, is chatting with her friends. enlisted with the New Philippine Scouts, a unit served with US Armed Forces from 1945 to Maternidad says her husband went through training and later assigned to office work; he kept records for his unit. He was 17 at “I saw a letter his files: ‘You’re to from US says Maternidad. Comoda, 79, came to the US with her husband, Custodio, in They hoped their daughters would be able to join them. her came to the in 2011, but she separated her other daughter and Credit: Federis/PRI not any those benefits until later life. The US government initially that Filipino soldiers fighting citizenship and be considered for veterans benefits. But later stripped Filipino World War II veterans those benefits. Tancinco says Filipinos were the only group that was denied US veteran soldiers from more than 60 other countries who with the US. The veterans fought to gain back benefits and obtained some victories. Comodas moved the US after passed a law 1990 that allowed to immig
. Just like other immigrants, faMily unificAtion Is tHe uLtImatE goaL,” says Tancinco. “I’M TalkIng about the veterans who Have bEeN In isOLaTion fOr a long TImE. i’M taLkInG abOuT ThE widoWs wHo don’t hAve any famiLy mEmBers here.”

An esTImAted 250,000 FilipiNo sOldiers respoNdeD to a caLl-To-aRMs froM thE UnitEd StatES and thE PhilippiNe GOvernmENts duriNG woRld WAr II. At the time, the PHIlIPpines was a coloNy of thE Us AnD WAs uNdeR the threat Of japanESe occupATiON. tHesE filipino soldiErs became paRT of The UniTeD StATes ArmEd ForCeS Of tHe Far East.

FiLipiNos joined Four grOUps: the OLD PhilipPine ScOutS, thE ComMOnWeAltH ARMy OF thE PhILipPines, GueRiLlA ServIce aND THE New phiLippIne ScOuts. The groups WerE forMEd aT diffErent TimeS dUring The war: some sErVicemen fought alOngsIde US trooPs iN bAttLeS; otheRS joineD afTer The end oF the war TO heLp THE uS Maintain its presencE iN aSiA.

At the CeNter’s bINgO eVEnt, MaterNiDad comoDA, 79, Is chaTtinG WiTh her friEnds. HeR HuSbAnd, CustOdIo, enliStEd wIth The NeW philIppine scouts, a uNit thAT served with the us Armed Forces fROm 1945 TO 1947.

maTErniDad Says her husbAnd wENt thRougH TrAinINg and Was laTeR AsSIgned to office work; he KePt recoRds foR his unit. He was 17 At the time.

“I SAW A letter aMong HIs FIles: ‘You’re entitLed to Benefits frOM the US goVernmEnt,’” says MAternidad.

mATernidad comOda, 79, CamE to THE Us with her husbaND, custOdIo, in 1992. TheY hoPed theiR daUghTerS woUlD be able to Join them. onE oF hEr DauGhterS Came to thE Us in 2011, BuT shE remaINs sepaRated From HeR oTHer DaughteR AnD FAmilY mEmBers. creDiT: MarnEtte fEdeRis/PRI

BUt CustodiO woULd noT sEe Any of thOse benefits unTiL later in liFe. the uS goveRNMent initIally said that Filipino soLDiers fiGhtIng foR theM would recEivE US citIzeNShip anD be conSiderEd For VETeranS BEnEfiTs. but lawmakeRS LatEr strIpPed FIlipino world War II veterans OF thOse benefits. TaNciNco sAYS FIliPInOS weRe THe oNLY group that was deNied full US VeTErAn status amONg sOlDiers frOm more tHan 60 otHEr countRies who seRved with tHe uS.

ThE fIliPino veteraNs fought To gain bacK BenefITs And obTaiNed somE iNcrEmentAl victORieS.

The COmodas MoVed to tHe US aFtEr CongreSs passed a law in 1990 that allowEd FiliPino vEteRans to immIg
. Just like other immigran ts, family  unif ica tio nis t he u ltimate goal,” says  Tancinco. “I’m talkin g abo ut thev et erans  who ha v eb e enin  i sol at i on  fora l ong tim e. I’m tal kin gabout the wi d ow s who don’ t h ave any fami lymember sher e .”

A n e stima ted 25 0 ,000 F ilipino s ol d iers r e sponded t oa ca ll-to-arms from t h eU nited States a nd the  P h il i p pin e g overnments  d uring World W a rI I .  At the time, the  Philippine s  wa s a co lo nyo f theUS an dw asunder the t hrea t of Japa nese o c cupatio n . These  Filip ino  so ldie r sbe cam ep art of  th e  Un ited Sta te sArmed  For c e s of t heFarEast. 

Filipinos j oin ed f o urgroup s: th e Ol dPhili ppineScout s,  the Commonweal th A rmy Of Th e P hi lip pi nes,G uerill a S erv ice and  the Ne w  Ph il i p p in e Scouts. The grou ps w er e formed  at di f fe re n t timesdu rin g th e war:Some se rvicemen  fough t  a lo ngsideUS  troop sinbat tles; othe rs joi ned afte r the end of the war to help the U S  m a i nt a in i tspresence in  Asi a .

A t th e  C ent e r’s b ingoev e nt ,  Maternidad Comoda,  7 9, ischatt ing with herfriends. H e r husband,  Cus t od i o, enlisted wi th th e New Phil i ppine Sc outs,  a unitthat serv e d  with th e U S A rme d F o r ce s from 1945 t o 1947 .
Matern ida d saysher  hu sba ndwe nt throug h traini ng  a nd  w aslater assigned  t o o ff ice  work ;  he ke pt re cord sfo r  hi s unit. He w as 1 7at  the  ti me .

“I  saw a l etter a mong hisfil e s: ‘ Yo u’ re enti tled to benef it s from the  U S g overnm e n t,’” say s Maternidad.

Maternid a d Comod a,79, c ameto the US  wi th her  hu s band,Custod io, i n199 2 .  They h op edth eir daught e r s w ouldbe  abl e to jo in them. One of he r  da ughters cametotheU S  i n 2 0 11 ,  bu ts her e mains separated  from herot h er  daughtera ndfa mily me mbers.Credi t : Marne tte Feder is/PRI

B ut  Cus t o dio  would not  see any  of those benef i ts  unti l l ater i nlif e. Th e US g o ver nment  initi al ly sai d tha tFilipino  soldiers fighting forthem w ouldrec eive US c iti z ens hip and b e co nsidered f orvet erans  be n efits . Bu t  l awm a kerslate r  stripped Fi lip i n oWorld War I I v ete ransoft hose b enef its. Tancinco say s  Filipinos wer e th e onl y g r oupth at was deniedful lU S  veteran  s tatus among  soldier sf rom m ore th an 60other c o u nt r ies wh o se rve d with th e U S. 
The Fi li pi n o vete rans  f oughtto gai n  bac k benefits and obt ained s ome i n cre menta lvictori e s.
The Comoda s moved tothe US  aft er Co ngresspa ssed a  la win 1990 th a t allowed  Fili pino ve te rans  to  immig 
. Just_like other_immigrants, family unification is_the ultimate_goal,”_says Tancinco._“I’m_talking about the_veterans who have_been in isolation for_a long time._I’m_talking about the widows who don’t have any family members here.”

An estimated 250,000 Filipino_soldiers_responded to_a_call-to-arms_from the United States and_the Philippine governments during World_War II._At the time, the Philippines was a colony_of_the US and_was under the threat of Japanese occupation. These Filipino_soldiers became part of the United_States Armed Forces_of_the_Far East.

Filipinos joined four_groups: the Old Philippine Scouts, the_Commonwealth Army Of The Philippines, Guerilla_Service and the New Philippine Scouts. The_groups were formed at different times_during the war: Some servicemen_fought alongside_US troops in battles; others_joined after the_end of_the war to_help the US maintain its presence_in Asia.

At the_Center’s bingo event, Maternidad Comoda, 79,_is_chatting with her_friends._Her_husband, Custodio,_enlisted with the_New_Philippine Scouts,_a_unit that served with the US_Armed_Forces from 1945 to 1947.

Maternidad says her_husband went through training_and_was later assigned to_office work; he kept records_for his unit. He was 17_at the_time.

“I saw_a letter among his files: ‘You’re entitled to benefits from the_US government,’” says Maternidad.

Maternidad Comoda, 79,_came to the US_with her_husband,_Custodio, in 1992._They_hoped their_daughters would be able to join them._One of_her daughters came to the US_in 2011, but she_remains_separated from her other daughter and_family members. Credit: Marnette Federis/PRI

But Custodio_would not see any of_those_benefits_until later in life. The_US government initially said that Filipino_soldiers fighting for_them would receive US citizenship and be_considered_for veterans benefits. But lawmakers later_stripped_Filipino World War II veterans of_those_benefits._Tancinco says Filipinos were the_only group that was denied full_US veteran status among soldiers from more than 60_other countries who_served with the US.

The Filipino_veterans_fought_to gain back benefits and obtained some incremental victories.

The Comodas_moved to_the US after_Congress passed a law in 1990 that allowed Filipino veterans_to immig