Photographed in New Port Richey, Florida, 2019

Born on December 26, 1916 in Sal-lapapadan Barrio, Abra, Philippines, Liban Brillantes grew up in a remote, mountainous jungle part of the province where there were no roads but instead were trails that took days walking to reach the provincial capital, Bangued. At the age of 21, was drafted into USAFFE, training for several months in Pampanga then transferred to 121st Infantry in Laoag City, Illocos Norte.

In 1941, on the way to report for duty, he fell sick with malaria and shortly after his unit, the 121^st Infantry was disbanded. He volunteered as a messenger, providing vital intelligence to American forces and was promoted to the rank of sergeant, leading a group of Bolo Men.

Liban and his wife Rosita (Sindong) had 9 children. One of Liban’s greatest wishes was to come to the United States of America. He was able to fulfill his dream in 2004, purchasing a one-way ticket to Tampa, Florida and, at the age of 87, boarded his first airplane. His next wish was to become a US citizen. He studied day and night to learn all he could about the country he had fought side by side with just 74 years prior. On June 28, 2012 at the age of 95 he became a citizen of the USA.

Next on his bucket list was to see some of his children in their country of residence. At the age of 97, he traveled solo to Calgary, Canada and to London, England at age 98. He experienced snow and harsh winter for the first time in his life and didn’t care for it at all. His final trips were to see his granddaughter at the age of 103 and his great-grand daughter at the age of 104 in San Antonio, Texas. During his years in America, he enjoyed gardening, reading his Bible, going to church, long drives (especially on bridges), watching the waves at the beach, exploring new places, watching MMA and spending time with his family.