Queen Mariam Honored as First Filipino to Receive Honorary Colonel Rank from USNRC Region IV

California/USA - July 08, 2025 - In recognition of a lifetime dedicated to global humanitarianism, Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura, founder of We Care for Humanity (WCH), has been awarded as Honorary Colonel by the United States National Reserve Army Corps (USNRC). The prestigious honor, presented during the Independence Day celebrations on July 4th, 2025, acknowledges her tireless service to humanity and marks a new chapter in her commitment to service, now extending to the United States and its veterans.

The day's events began with a vibrant July 4th Parade at Huntington Beach, California, which was followed by the official ceremony in Santa Ana. The celebration was attended by high-ranking officials of the USNRC, led by Lt. General Gregory Bone, the head of USNRC Alabama and Region IV Chief-Major General Randy Nguyen, who officiated the ceremony.

Queen Mariam is a globally recognized humanitarian and the visionary founder of We Care for Humanity (WCH), an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education, health, and wellness, and eradicating poverty and discrimination. WCH operates on the principle of "Spreading Humanity through Education, Health, and International Trade."

Upon receiving the honor, H.M. Queen Mariam stated, "I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the rank of Honorary Colonel. My life's work with We Care for Humanity has been dedicated to serving communities globally, and this appointment allows me to extend that service to the patriotic men and women of the United States. It is a privilege to support the USNRC and its noble mission of assisting our veterans and communities in times of need. I look forward to working alongside them in service to this great nation."

The appointment also highlights Queen Mariam’s esteemed position within the Royal House of Luzon Tagalog also known as Royal Maharlika and the Sultanate of Magindanaw, historic and culturally significant institutions in the Philippines.

The honor further cements the strong and collaborative relationship between We Care for Humanity and the USNRC. On May 27, 2025, during the 7th WCH Royal Summit at the Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas, WCH presented the USNRC with the Medal of Honor and Valor for their outstanding service. Building on this partnership, WCH and USNRC have announced a new joint initiative: a three-month feeding support program for veterans and members of the USNRC in California. This vital program will be spearheaded by WCH Los Angeles Regional Director, Bai Huong Vo.

About We Care for Humanity (WCH): We Care for Humanity is an internationally recognized non-profit organization committed to creating a world without poverty, hunger, and discrimination. Through its various global initiatives, WCH focuses on providing opportunities in education, health, and wellness to underprivileged and marginalized communities.

About United States National Reserve Corps (USNRC): The United States National Reserve Corps (USNRC) is an all-volunteer reserve military association composed of patriotic volunteers and veterans. It is dedicated to assisting local, state, and federal authorities by providing properly trained units capable of working within the Emergency Management System during natural or man-made disasters.