A coffee book that chronicles the very inspiring and heroic life story of a living Filipino World War II veteran, soldier, and outstanding public servant was launched at the Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City last February 18. Former President Fidel V. Ramos was the main guest.

Entitled ‘Uncle Sim: The Life and Times of Simeon Marcos Valdez,’ the 280-page biography of former Congressman Simeon Marcos Valdez is authored by the Ramos and Valdez clan family and historical biographer Melandrew T. Velasco.

A native of Dagupan City and a Journalism graduate at the University of the Philippines, Velasco earlier authored the books: "In A Class of Her Own: The Life and Times of Angela Valdez Ramos" and "Nachong: An Enduring Legacy of Ambassador Narciso Ramos."

Two other books authored by Velasco include the soon-to-be-released "Mommy: The Life and Times of Josefa Jara Martinez," the country’s pioneer professional worker and mother of former First Lady Amelita "Ming" M. Ramos and "Jacinta: A Filipino Japanese Saga," chronicling the life and times of the mother of Gen. Francisco Bravo who was a product of an inter-racial marriage before the outbreak of World War II.

An uncle of two presidents, the late Ferdinand Edralin Marcos and Fidel Valdez Ramos, Uncle Sim recaptures the glorious past of soldiers whose heroism is always worthy to be told and retold. It is also a tribute to the noble profession of soldiery and to elective officials in the past who always believed that genuine public service is always held with dignity, honor and integrity.

Uncle Sim also traces the roots of Simeon Valdez in the historic town of Batac, Ilocos Norte that produced patriots since the Philippine revolution against Spain. Shortly after his graduation in the University of the Philippines with a degree in business administration, the young Simeon entered the Philippine Army.

He served as logistics officer of the combined American and Filipino forces that put up a desperate defense line along the Lingayen Gulf and the Ilocos coast when Japanese invaders landed on Luzon. He fought in Bataan for three months, surrendered to Japanese forces, joined the Death March to Capas, Tarlac and survived incarceration at Camp O’Donell.

Unbroken by defeat, Captain Valdez again rose to the call for patriotism and joined Volckmann’s guerillas of Northern Luzon, rising to the position of battalion commander of the 15th Infantry Regiment of the Northern Luzon guerillas. Known as ‘Liberator of Abra and the Ilocos region,’ then Major Valdez was ordered to join other guerilla forces under Col. Russell Volckmann on the final assault of Bessang Pass, the last defensive bastion of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita’s hideout in the Cordilleras.

He remained in the Philippine Army until his retirement as Comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a full colonel. He was an undefeated Congressman of the Second District of Ilocos Norte from 1961 to 1972. He returned to his old district in 1995. Even in his twilight years, he has not given up his unfinished battle, the plight of Filipino World War II veterans.

Beyond the call of duty and being an honorable witness to the living past, Uncle Sim’s life and times will surely inspire young Filipinos and remind the present crop of leaders and officials to embrace the good old values anchored on nationalism and love of country above self, family and personal interests.