LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — About 100 college students learned about the bravery and sacrifices of Cordillera guerrillas who fought Japanese forces and helped liberate Benguet during World War II.

The participants included students from the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC), accompanied by their history faculty, and members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Benguet Council.

Researcher Betty Listino served as the resource speaker and shared accounts of iBenguet guerrillas who fought as members of the 66th Infantry Regiment of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines–Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL).

Listino, one of the project leads of the documentary “Nowhere Yet Everywhere: Untold Stories of the 66th Infantry USAFIP-NL, highlighted the courage of the guerrillas, many of whom were as young as the students who attended the lecture when they took part in the war.

Dr. Ermilinda Guinaran, daughter of a 66th Infantry Regiment member, also shared inspiring accounts of World War II, giving the participants a glimpse into the experiences and sacrifices of the wartime heroes.

The Office of the Governor conducted the lecture at the Benguet Provincial Capitol on August 17, 2026, as part of the 81st Liberation Day celebration of the province.

Governor Dr.Melchor D. Diclas emphasized the importance of helping young people understand Benguet history, particularly the sacrifices made by its people during World War II.

Governor Diclas said the experiences of the wartime heroes of the province can provide the youth with lessons on courage, leadership, patriotism, sacrifice, and service to others.

The activity also aimed to strengthen the appreciation of the students on the role of Benguet in the liberation of the province and encourage them to carry the values demonstrated by the wartime generation into their own communities.