My Grandparents Returned a Huge Amount of Money During WW2

Ni Oggie Medina

As I reflect on my fourth award from the Philippines Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers, I have always thought of the sacrifice of my grandparents during World War 2 — I am forever grateful to them for ingraining in me the values of moral integrity and humility.

Jules del Gallego, first cousin of Philippine Ambassador to the USA Jose Manuel “Babe” del Gallego Romualdez, told me that my grandfather, ship captain Lt. Col. Peregrino Bunye Medina, together with my grandmother Paz Calzado Bendicio Medina, returned a huge amount of money to the family of Don Juan del Gallego, particularly to Dona Potenciana (wife of Don Juan) on Dart street in Paco, Manila at the height of World War II. Actresses Heart Evangelista and Jodi Sta. Maria are related to the Del Gallego clan.

“My grandfather Juan died in June 1941, and that’s why your grandfather saw my grandmother instead,” said Jules, author of the book The Brothers Luna.

When my grandmother Paz was still alive, she made a handwritten account of that event: “World War broke out December 1941. Pumutok ang balitang binomba na ng mga Hapon ang Pearl Harbor kaya nagkakagulo na ang mga tao sa Maynila.” She rented a truck for P200 for her mother and siblings that would bring them to Tuy, Batangas, near Balayan, her mother’s birthplace. My grandmother Paz waited for my grandfather Peregrino.

“Nang gabing binomba na ang Camp Aguinaldo ay biglang dumating si Pereg at walang dala kung di isang maletang balat na malaking-malaki. Sinalubong ko si Pereg sa pintuan at napuna ko ang napakabigat na maletang dala-dala niya. Hindi ako sinagot ni Pereg at tuloy-tuloy na pumasok sa loob ng bahay, isinara ang pintuan at binuksan ang maleta. Laking gulat ko nang makita ang laman ng maleta na punong-puno ng pera,” reminisced my grandmother.

My grandfather said that his ship was captured by the Japanese soldiers and it was fortunate he saved the money that was intended for the salary of the people of the Del Gallego Saw Mill and for the daily expenses of the Del Gallego family. Then my grandmother accompanied my grandfather to the Del Gallego family in Paco, Manila to return the money to the right owner.

Jules del Gallego recounted to me that, “The steamship Santa Teresa captained by your grandfather was sunk by the Japanese. According to my late aunt Carmen, your grandfather showed up at the Del Gallego’s Dart Street Mansion with the 45 thousand payroll money. He invited my grandmother and her family to move to Balayan.”

I found out in my grandmother’s handwritten story that my grandfather Peregrino Bunye Medina applied as a captain in the army of the United States. “He was accepted and was given the rank of Lt. Col. assigned in a certain ship, the S.S. – 155 of the U.S. Army. He also took with him Pedro de Mesa (husband of Maura, sister of Paz) as his radio operator in the ship assigned to him.”

How I wish to finish a WW2 script to be seen in the big screen in the near future. I hope the training I got years ago from National Artist Ricky Lee will be put to good use.