Australian Navy seaman aboard HMAS Toowoomba honours his Filipino war veteran great-grandfather during Subic port visit

Able Seaman Elijah Simangan’s deployment to Subic Bay with the Royal Australian Navy became a deeply personal journey as he walked the same soil where his great-grandfather, a Philippine Army officer and WWII prisoner of war, once served.

Able Seaman Elijah Simangan is a crew member aboard HMAS Toowoomba, which recently conducted a port visit to Subic Bay. Credit: Australian Defence Force Media

Key Points

• Elijah Simangan is a crew member aboard HMAS Toowoomba, which recently conducted a port visit to Subic Bay. This visit underscores the ongoing maritime cooperation between Australia and the Philippines, aimed at maintaining regional stability and a rules-based order.
• He carries the weight of history on his uniform, honouring his great-grandfather, Melchor Simangan Sr., who survived the Battle of Bataan and later served as a reservist captain and professor.
• As part of a "cultural snapshot" of the Australian Defence Force, Simangan’s presence highlights the diversity of the Royal Australian Navy and its deep-rooted ties to Southeast Asian partners.

LISTEN TO

Australian Navy seaman ng HMAS Toowoomba na dumaong sa Subic, nagpugay sa kanyang lolo sa tuhod na Pinoy war veteran

SBS Filipino

06:42Filipino

There is a deep sense of pride in carrying my great-grandfather’s last name, especially since we both served in the military, though I am in the Navy. It brings a sense of pride to my family as well; for three generations, we have wanted to serve and carry on the legacy my great-grandfather started.

Able Seaman Elijah Simangan, Royal Australian Navy

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