Posted by Jose Dado on April 6, 2012:

Since childhood, Col. Joven G. Villanos' ambition was to be an army officer and pursue a military career.At 5'2", he could not study at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the height requirement there being 5'4". And so he applied for the yearly Filipino Cadet slot to the USMA, where 5'2" was acceptable for Filipino Cadets.At that time, the opportunity was open to all Filipinos and not just for PMA cadets. At first, he was not successful, the appointment having gone to a PMA cadet. He tried again and was selected to be the Filipino Cadet in the USMA Class of 1956. His perseverance led to a successful career in the Philippine Army. He had a master's degree in Mathematics and taught Mathematics in PMA. He also served as superintendent of all UP ROTC units. During the Martial Law years, he served as the assistant military supervisor of the Land Transportation Commission, the Executive Director of the Board of Transportation, the Board of Power and Waterworks, and the Board of Communications and as the Chairman of the Board of Power and Waterworks. He was also the Chairman of a Military Court, the Trial Judge Advocate of which became the Judge Advocate General of the AFP. In 1978, he returned to the army to be the Chief of Ordnance, PA. He retired in 1986, after thirty years of honorable military service, as a Colonel and as the Assistant Division Commander of the 11th Inf.Div., PA. He is survived by his wife of more than fifty years, Mrs.Julieta Villanos, their children Judy, Jeannie, Jessy, Joy, Jo-anne and Jule. After retirement, Col. and Mrs. Villanos went to live in the U.S., where some of their children reside with their families. Finally, Col.Villanos came home to spend his remaining days in our country, which he served which he served for thirty years guided by the ideals of Duty, Honor. Country. As we bid farewell to Col. Villanos, the following lines of the Alma Mater are very fitting: And when our work is done, Our course on earth is run, May it be said, "Well done! Be thou at peace.

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