Veteranos are Filipino soldiers who fought in the Philippines in World War II under the command of the United States military against the Japanese. The US enlisted the service of over 250,000 to over 400,000 Filipinos during the war in the Pacific.

The Veteranos and the Philippines were the only group of soldiers allied with the United States, during World War II, to not receive full equity and benefits, due to the passing of the Rescission Act of 1946. Before this act, Filipino veterans were considered United States veterans with active service by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, but when this act was passed, this standing of being a United States veteran was taken away and full equity was never received, nor were their services to the United States military recognized. To this date the Filipino World War II "Veteranos" have yet to receive their full equity and benefits initially promised by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Although they have yet to receive full equity and benefits, the veteranos were able to claim a small victory with the passing of President Obama's stimulus package. Through the support of Hawaiian Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a provision was attached to the stimulus package that would provide for the payment of a lump sum of $15,000 to Filipino veterans who are American citizens and $9000 to those who are not. The provision however included a clause that stated that if the veteranos were to accept their lump sum payment, they would no longer be owed anything by the United States. This means that although the veteranos were able to acquire some of the money owed to them by the United States government, they would still not be able to receive full veteran benefits and status.

Jesse Borrego (born August 1, 1962 in San Antonio) is an American actor. Better known for playing Cruz Candelaria in Blood in, Blood out and later guest starring as George King in Dexter. Borrego, a Mexican American, was born in San Antonio, Texas. He considered going into the US Air Force to become a pilot. After graduating from Harlandale High School, he studied theatre and dance at University of the Incarnate Word and acting at The California Institute of the Arts from which he earned a degree in Performance in 1984. About the same time, he attended an open audition for the TV Series Fame where he won the role of "Jesse Velasquez", a role he would play from 1984 until 1987.

He appeared on Married with Children as Bruno in the episode "Can't Dance, Don't Ask Me" (1989).

Borrego returned to the stage appearing in productions at the noted Joseph Papp Theatre in New York City and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. In addition to performing on stage and in films such as Follow Me Home, New York Stories, Con Air or as Cruz Candelaria in Bound by Honor (also known as Blood in, Blood out), he began Lupita Productions in 1990. He has produced theatrical productions and concerts as well as two 16mm short films: El Suendo de Simon [1] (1993) by James Borrego and Flattime (1995) by Jimmy Santiago Baca. He also played role of an original gangster on DarkRoom Familia's "Veteranos" in 1999. Borrego is a member of the theatre group "Tribal Players". He is well known for his third season guest role in 24 as Gael Ortega. In 2010 Borrego appeared in the movie La Mission.