PRESS RELEASE - 16 - 2019

Mr. Quirino Aglibut Bajet, a.k.a. Victor Aglibut Bajet is flanked by Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and his son Narceo Bajet during his oath-taking at the Consulate on 7 March 2019

(25 March 2019, Honolulu, Hawaii) - Mr. Quirino Aglibut Bajet, a.k.a. Victor Aglibut Bajet, 102 years old, took his oath of allegiance for re-acquisition of Filipino citizenship before Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona at the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu on 7 March 2019.

Mr. Bajet was born in Santa, Ilocos Sur on 1 March 1917. He migrated to the United States in March 1977, and became a US citizen on 13 April 1983. The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) informed the Consulate that Mr. Bajet may qualify as a veteran centenarian under the Centenarians Act of 2016 upon reacquisition of Philippine citizenship.

According to his daughter Remedios Pabo, Mr. Bajet has maintained an attachment to his country of birth. During his prime, he engaged in discussions with fellow Ilocanos in Hawaii. He developed the habit of listening to local radio programs broadcast in Ilocano, and continues to watch Filipino programs on television. His daughter said that he never lost his taste for Filipino dishes such as pinakbet and dinardaraan (dinuguan).

During the oath-taking at the Consulate, Mr. Bajet became emotional, particularly as he sang the Philippine national anthem. His family said that he was very appreciative of the opportunity to become a Filipino again. END

Deputy Consul General Escalona talking with Mr. Bajet prior to the oath-taking