Lucban’s war hero commemorated 

LUCBAN, Quezon — The descendants former local guerilla leader Hobart Dator Sr. commemorated the bravery and valor of the World War II hero here on Friday. 

NEVER FORGOTTEN The descendants of Hobart Dator, the teenage leader of the Anderson Guerilla 43 during the Japanese occupation, offered flowers to Dator’s monument at the entrance of the municipal hall in Lucban, Quezon, on July 4, 2025. PHOTO BY BELLY OTORDOZ

The descendants of Dator, the teenage leader of the Anderson Guerilla 43 during the Japanese occupation, offered flowers to his monument which stands guard at the entrance of the municipal hall building.

Historical accounts from his son, Hobart Dator Jr., now 72, learned that barely a month after his father married his mother at 16, Dator Sr. was recruited to lead the Guerilla Anderson 43 against the Japanese army. 

After the war, Dator Sr. managed the Guerilla Cooperative Store and in 1955, won the mayoralty race at 32. 

Dator Sr. then spearheaded the establishment of the Paaralang Elementarya ng Lucban (PEL) which has spawned into the present day Southern Luzon State University. 

Dator Sr. and his sons were among the graduates of the pilot batch of PEL’s high school program. The war veteran only finished elementary education when he won as mayor of the town. This motivated him to finish secondary education at the school he established.

Keeping the memory of the war hero alive, Dator Jr. and his brother, former Lucban Mayor Serafin Dator, and nieces Lyncel and Imelda visited PEL on Friday to reintroduce the role of Dator Sr. in the creation of the school.

PEL’s principal, Dr. Sarah Mendoza, assured the Dators the students are well aware of the significance of the Guerilla Anderson 43 in the town’s history.

In August, Dator Jr. assured Mendoza of their return to donate certain logistics for the school’s expansion plan.