01/01/2018
As we conclude 2017, we would like to honour one more WW2 hero from the Philippines. Some of us celebrated a White Christmas last week. But very few people know the story of Miguel White.
Miguel White was from Legaspi, Albay. He was the son of an American Father and Filipina Mother. Standing at 5’11” he exhibited great athletic skill in the both the 400m and 100m hurdles where he represented the Philippines at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. This was the same Olympic Games as Jesse Owens, Louis Zamperini (from the movie Unbroken) and our other Filipino hero Teofilo Yldefonso. Like Yldefonso, White also won a bronze medal, in the 400m hurdles. Unfortunately he fell during the 100m event.
After the Olympics, White joined the Philippine army, and served as a lieutenant in the 52nd Infantry Regiment. White was not in the infamous Bataan Death March. He was killed in action in 1942 during the Japanese invasion of Manila. His grandson, Romeo Nelson a retired US Marine recalls seeing one of his olympic certificates growing up, but his Bronze medal was lost in the war. There are however still a few photos of him to protect his memory.
Finally, on behalf of all the volunteers, partners, and sponsors of the Fil-Am Racing project and the Fil-Am Triathlon Club, we would like to thank all of you who participated in our events and supported our efforts to remember and honour our WW2 heroes in this 75th anniversary year. We look forward to seeing you at our events in 2018! Mabuhay and Happy New Year!