Lolo Doy is at No. 18, 2nd Row from left to right.
Courtesy of uncle Robert Rongero and Rongero Family of Bamban
PROJECT WWII HEROES
PFC DOMINADOR A. RONGERO: FROM DEFENDER OF BATAAN TO KOREAN WAR
Yesterday morning, I was surprised to be visited by my uncle Robert Maristela Rongero, a relative of my mom (Brigida Cauguiran Dela Cruz) with the Maristela Clan. Uncle Robert was a Vietnam Veteran, following the footsteps of my lolo (grandfather, married to Cecilia O. Maristela). Other members of Lolo Doy’s children were Auntie Esther Rongero Shaffer and Nez. Truly, service is in the bloodline of my Rongero-Maristela relatives who are from Bamban, Tarlac.
Lolo Doy, born on December 23, 1918 in Lapaz, Iloilo City (Central Philippines) and married a Maristela from Bamban in 1945. He enlisted at Fort Stotsenburg, home of the 26th Cavalry, Philippine Scouts Regiment and was assigned at Troop B. His unit fought in the Defense of Luzon and in the Battle of Bataan from December to April 1942 until the surrender on the 9th; thereafter, became a Prisoner of War along with the thousands of the Filipino-American defenders of Bataan and endured the Death March. Finally, he was incarcerated at the infamous Camp O’Donnell at Capas, Tarlac (Capas Concentration Camp).
Courtesy of uncle Robert Rongero and Rongero Family of Bamban
Due to his severe sickness such as malnutrition, malaria and beriberi during the Japanese Occupation, he recuperated and by the time the American forces landed in Luzon in January 1945, he rejoined the Philippine Scouts with the 1st Military Police Battalion and was stationed at Port of Manila.
After the war, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1949 under the Special Act of U.S. Congress for Filipinos who served in the United States Armed Forces during the Commonwealth Period, himself with the Philippine Scouts. His first assignment with the regular U.S. Army was at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.
Marshall Skiff (38th Division US Army) Photo, Bamban WWII Museum Collection.
He served during the Korean War with the 2nd Division with his assignment from 1952 to 1954. In the post Korean War, he was assigned with the Jungle Warfare Training School in Panama and Fort Riley (home of U.S. Cavalry) and Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii. His service with the U.S. Army covered 21 years and retired with a rank of Sergeant First Class. He is buried with Lola Cecilia at the National Cemetery, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
Courtesy of uncle Robert Rongero and Rongero Family of Bamban
Courtesy of uncle Robert Rongero and Rongero Family of Bamban
The visit of my uncle Robert was an important and sentimental one, honoring our grandfather Doy for his service during WWII. Please join us in this endeavor of preserving the legacy of our own heroes from Bamban, that they may inspire the present and future generations for service to our Country.
Our sincere thanks to uncle Robert M. Rongero and his support to our Bamban WWII Museum.
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Bronze Stat Medal
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Philippines Liberation Medal
Korean Service Medal
US Presidential Unit Citation
Philippines Presidential unit Citation
Retroactive award of Prisoner-of-War Medal
Married to: Cecilia Obante Maristela (Deceased)
1945 at Bamban Tarlac
Children: Robert M. Rongero of Texas
Roland M. Rongero of Texas
Rick M. Rongero of Virginia
May Rongero Reyes (Deceased)
Nez M. Rongero of Texas
Ester Rongero Shaffer of Texas
© 2026 Rhonie C. Dela Cruz
Bamban WWII Museum/Historical Society
Bamban Center for Pacific War Studies
WWII Remembrance Network – Hell Ships Memorial
PGT – Tarlac Provincial Tourism Office
Bamban LGU – Bamban Tourism Office
