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Photo/Files: Happy 115th Independence Day Philippines!

Araw ng Kasarinlan, the Day of Freedom

If you can possibly use the power of your imagination to take part of that special afternoon of June 12, 1898 when General Emilio F. Aguinaldo officially announced the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of the Philippines at the balcony of his house in Kawit, Cavite. 

Imagine that scene of the people proudly seeing a waved Philippine flag. 

On top of their lungs shouting "Mabuhay ang Kalayaan ng Pilipinas!"

While listening to the Marcha Filipina, the tune of our now called Lupang Hinirang.

You can just imagine.

Fact is, it's a wonderful time to be a Filipino every month of June as it will the month to celebrate a day of freedom. A time to celebrate the greatest right we have as Filipinos. It constantly reminds us that our nation is as great as it can be. And ultimately it proves that we are brave, sacrificing, and united in love.

Yet at this present time, I wish that every person of this nation may try asking themselves what freedom means to them today. Some may say freedom from NPA bandit oppression, freedom from poverty, freedom from bullying, freedom in equality, but in reality, the general populace are more concerned with the issues of AiAi and the sexual preference of Charice or whoever. 

Kalayaan is a term taken for granted by many; it may come in different forms and served in different ways. Kalayaan should also be protected, informed to the many, and must be practiced justly. It is time to be more aware of the things that should be us and for us. A lot of people already sacrificed their lives to protect this freedom; from internal threats that we make press that soon become forgotten. If we fail to act and love this country, it may not just be our sovereignty over some areas be taken away, it can also be our identity. 

So free yourself on that day and feel the air of freedom once again. 

Our dar President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the celebration of the Philippine’s 115th Independence Day at the Liwasang Bonifacio in the city of Manila.

Be there. Don't forget to wear the flag.

Trivia about our flag:

  1. General Emilio Aguinaldo, a prominent leader in the Philippine revolution against Spanish colonial rule, designed what was to become the Philippine flag during his exile in Hongkong in 1897.
  2. The original Philippine flag, was first sewn in Hong Kong in 1898, was made of silk.
  3. It was hand-sewn by three Filipino women by the name of Dona Marcela Marino de Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Mrs. Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, the niece of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
  4. The Philippine flag was formally unfurled during the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.
  5. The golden sun of our flag is not exactly in the center of the triangle but shifted slightly to the right. It represents the original eight provinces that started the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule.
  6. Along with Bulgaria, the Philippine flag can be turned upside down. If the Philippines is under a state of war, the red stripe is flown upwards, while blue at times of peace. 
  7. Computer colors or HEX are Blue (#0038A8) Red (#CE1126) White (#FFFFFF) Yellow (#FCD116) based on the Republic Act 8491 in terms of their cable number in the system developed by the Color Association of the United States.
  8. Eight rays of the yellow sun represent the eight provinces as Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, and Batangas.
  9. In 2009, a Senate Bill was introduced to add an additional ray to represent the Moro people in Mindanao who also fought the Spanish and was never occupied by the Spanish colonial government. As of September 24, 2009, it is in the process of bill reconciliation in Congress.
  10. Symbolism of our flag:

    BLUE FIELD - stands for peace, truth, and justice
    RED FIELD - stands for patriotism and valor
    WHITE TRIANGLE - stands for equality and fraternity
    EIGHT RAYS OF THE YELLOW SUN - represents the original eight provinces that started the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule
    THREE YELLOW STAR - represents Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the three geographical division of the country.
Some phrases are taken from Timawa with revision.

 © iamreservist.blogspot.com

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Navy Reservist to be honored after Cebu Pacific 5J 971 mishap

The 'Guiding Voice', Captain Bok of Cebu Pacific 5J 971 © Sherwin Reyes/PhilMug
Reservist News - After the Cebu Pacific crew failed to provide much needed attention to the passengers, Captain Bok or ENS Marlon Deang Bo of the Philippine Navy Reserve responded the call to help his fellow passengers during the mishap of a Cebu Pacific flight 5J 971 after it missed the runway in Davao International Airport last June 1, 2013.
Because of this 'heroic' attempt to calm the passengers, he will be honored from doing his heroic deeds. A Navy spokesperson Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, the Navy’s Civil Military Operations Group spokesman said, “We are formally documenting his heroic deeds so the Navy, as Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, the Flag Officer in Command if the PN also desires, can honor the hero of that Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 971,”.


 I give my salute to you Ensign Marlon Bo! Isa kang laang kawal na dapat gayahin! 

 QUOTE:

© AFP/Karlos Manlupig
MANILA, Philippines – A Navy reservist will be honored by the Philippine Navy for his “heroic deeds” after he helped calming down passengers in a Cebu Pacific plane 5J 971 that missed the runway of the Davao International Airport and landed on mud and grass at the side on Sunday.

Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, the Navy’s Civil Military Operations Group spokesman, identified the “hero” as Lieutenant Marlon Bo, a Navy reservist and a graduate of Philippine Merchant Marine Academy in 2003.

“We are formally documenting his heroic deeds so the Navy, as Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, the Flag Officer in Command if the PN also desires, can honor the hero of that Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 971,” he said Wednesday.

Bo was one of the passengers in the Cebu Pacific plane when the incident happened.

Nino Alinsub, also one of the passengers, recalled how Bo helped the passengers to safety.

“It took the courage of one person, whom we only know as Captain Bok from the Philippine Navy, to stand up and calm everyone down. He knew what he was doing, and he was in control when even the cabin crew looked like they were really at a loss on what to do. Capt Bok gave clear instructions for everyone to sit down, so that we could leave row by row to prevent the plane from tilting over. He was the clear definition of a “guiding voice,” he said in his blow-by-blow account.

The stricken Cebu Pacific Manila-Davao flight plane was removed from the runway of the Davao International Airport late Tuesday night.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/421173/navy-to-honor-hero-in-cebu-pacific-plane-mishap

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Soldiers participate in Brigada Eskwela 2013, kicks off May 20

In the spirit of 'Bayanihan sa Paaralan', units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be joining in for the annual activity called Brigada Eskwela in the preparation for the schools' opening on June 3.

 Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide, long running, voluntary campaign held by the Department of Education since 2003. The activity aims to enjoin the entire community into the spirit of Bayanihan by bringing teachers, parents, soldiers, police officers, and other concerned sector together in doing clean up and repairs within the school setting.

 "Ngayon po ay simula ng Brigada Eskwela, nagpapasalamat po kami at naimbitahan muli upang makatulong sa kapwa naming Pilipino," [Today is the start of our Brigada Eskwela, I thank the organizers for inviting us so we could help again] says a reservist belonging to the Army Reserve Command.

 During the activity, our soldiers from both regular and reserve forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will help not only in cleaning and fixing school facilities. The versatility of our skill set can also offer in maintaining computer and electrical aspects of the school as well as the infrastructural repairs needed in order to promote safety among the students who will be using it in the next school opening.

 The Brigada Eskwela 2013 will kick off starting on May 20 and will end on the 25. 

© iamreservist

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Supporting Our Troops! 101

There are some reason why we Filipino's need to support our troops whether if they serve in the Army, Air Force, Navy or the Marines. The whole idea is the same with paying it forward as families, friends, and even the whole Filipino community need to acknowledge their hard work. 

 They are brave men and women who serve in a true form of sacrifice to promote peace and community development. However, our troops are not immune as to being human. They feel lonely, homesick, even sad. In the light of our comfort, we can only give our support to boost their morale by simple means of showing how grateful we are. 


It is with us, Filipino stakeholders to take back and show that they are our nations' pride. 

If you had thought about doing this in the past but still freezing on with the idea because you lack the means to do it, have some time to read a few suggestions made by military families around the globe. 

1) Simple Courtesy. Meeting defense force personnel from other Southeast Asian countries and even in Australia seem like they are bad to the bones. Similarly, Filipino soldiers may seem to look tact, alert, strict, yet handsome (or snappy for that matter). They appreciate a simple courtesy of a greeting. "Good Morning Sir", "Nice weather Sir", "Thanks for serving us Sir". These words are simple but priceless. 

2) Print, Share, or Tag Photos or Videos. In our digital age, sharing seems to be as simple as clicking and hovering a computer's mouse over the screen where a lot of our troops now have social media accounts, it is simply better for them to receive hard copy of photos of family and friends especially to our troops designated in far-flung areas even in the disputed islands. Taking a video of their family at a school ceremonies, picnic or sports event seems like a chore but truth is, the hardest thing for our military is being separated from those they love. And with the snippets from home, they will love being able to see their family over and over.

3) Capture and Compile Memories. Capturing and compiling memories means staying our troops updated of what's going on with our lives. One good example is a soldier having been deployed after his wife delivered a baby, it will be a boost of morale when the soldier sees his child taking the first breastfeeding, first bathe, even if seeing the baby in the crib for the first time. 
4) Send Messages. As simple as sending in quotes, funny messages (which can make the days go faster), and greetings from the internet and compile them on a booklet or send them via SMS. 
5) Send in News Clippings, Pictures, etc. Sending them news clippings about the good things helps them know that their work is being noticed by the community.

6)  Radio Dedication, etc. If there's a detachment or a battalion in your local area, chances are that soldiers are tuned in. If you are a big fan of the military, why not try and dedicate some good songs to lift their spirits up.  

7) Buy them a Frisbee. One addictive game common to most defense personnel in the world is a game of Frisbee. They can have this game to play with their buddies and the kids in their local community.

8) Connect With Them. Showing interest with our troops and knowing how they live and what they do means that you are interested in knowing the importance of their job. Inviting them through speaking engagements at school for career orientation or leadership summits also helps them connect to the youth who have no idea what the military is all about. They are mostly ready to talk it out with students because the military helps in shaping a better youth that would become future leaders of the community.
If you are a member of an organization which helps promote community missions, soldiers are also interested in taking part of assisting you through these avenues. 

9) Join Social Clubs. Joining social clubs like "Proud to Be With Soldiers" or "Protectors of Philippine Sovereignty" can enlighten you with snippets and updates about our soldiers deployed in areas all over the country. There are also events such as donation drives for calamity stricken areas by which you could participate with.

10) Send the Books. Surprisingly, a population of our troops are bookworms. A fun and witty book available at the local bookshop with cliche titles such as "Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?", "The Best of Chico De Lama's Morning Rush Series", "Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin by Bob Ong" or "It Only Hurts When I Pee by RJ Ledesma". There are also seriously great and self-help books that are highly appreciated by our troops such as "Pera Na Hindi Bitin" or "Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren" etc.
or Send in Old Magazines. These reading materials are highly valued during deployment or in an assigned area, it can also be shared along with their buddies.

 11) Church-Participation. If you are a member of church organizations such as Youth for Christ, or Every Nations Youth Ministry then be open on sharing the idea of praying for our people in the Armed Forces.  
12) Spend Time with the Family. If you have a family member or friend who is married to a soldier, a simple gesture of taking them out for a cup of coffee or sharing them a slice of cake can make a difference to their lives. A soldier will always have his peace of mind given that his family is coping well back home.
Be a role model to the children who's father are dispatched away from home. Tell them tales of why they became soldiers and show them how noble their job is.

13) Volunteering. If you are a nurse, try sharing your expertise about living healthy and basic medical care. If your a history geek, why not tap into the people inside the Philippine museums and seek if you can do the walk tours for visitors. You can also spend time packing relief aid in some relief centers. 
14) Organize Support Drive. Soldiers deployed in far-flung areas such as the disputed islands have no means of entertainment other than gardening and fishing. The places they stay are way beyond full access of all sorts of media. Why not tap into some people and try if you can send in stuff like books, magazines, old cassette tapes and cassette players, medical gear, old computer gear, etc. 

 15) Create a Military Appreciation Day (or Soldier's Appreciation Day). Similar with Father's Day, Mother's Day, and Teacher's Day. Our troops deserve recognition of their sacrifice in serving peace around the Philippines whether they are on regular or reserve duty. Normally, Filipino Veteran's along with U.S. Veterans celebrate November 11 as their recognition day. 

 Lastly, Pay Your Taxes Well. The taxes being collected by the government are there for a reason. It pays the job served by our troops and improves their survivability by improving their skills and machines. The taxes we pay grants them further studies, fuels the trucks to go far-flung areas, and respond to rescue operations. More so, our taxes are being used well because they are paying their life service in return. 

These are just a few examples of how we can help support our troops. Post below if you have any further ideas to share.

© iamreservist

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Moments of Bayanihan | The Unknown Soldier

Libingan ng mga Bayani
- The Unknown Soldier - 

 "Here Lies a Filipino Soldier Whose Name is Only Known to God."

Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) in Taguig City, Philippines is where I spent my night for the Undas (Halloween). It just feels right that I wanted to share a piece of my experience and feature the story in this blog. This was my first time being here with a bag full of questions to fill a curious mind. 

 It is probably the best time to visit the area, after all, this is the Halloween and the cemetery is open for twenty-four hours from November 1-2, 2012. I spent two days and a night just taking photos of our heroes. 

 Libingan ng mga BayaniWhile roaming around the evening, it felt like romance having to see elderly people lighting up candles. Children were also there listening stories of valor. But what actually caught my heart is the tomb called the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" situated in the center of the cemetery. 
This was specifically established in memory of those soldiers whose names have not been known after their death mainly because their bodies are no longer in the shape of recognition. 

 When I was munching every moment and pondering the beauty of their sacrifice. One stranger stood beside me and openly shared his heart. He said, "How great can this be? A soldier whose name is unknown to all of us but he has full of my respect." I felt it. And from that moment, it somehow feels good to be reminded of what Bayani (Hero) truly calls for!

One or many has to know that we Filipinos owe our freedom from these men who did the ultimate sacrifice of accepting death for the love of his country. How can the nameless be full of respect? Because he is a hero. 

 I took my last photo (first photo above) under the shimmering stars at 0300H. I just felt that these stars were there for a reason... It felt like I am glancing through every legacy and sacrifice of the soldiers who were not named. 

 Oh! Only God knows, but whoever you are... I thank you Sir Soldier Sir!
In lieu with the season of remembering our soldiers, I am dedicating this post to my grandfathers and their siblings who dedicated their service before I was born. I did not know very much about your lives and the things you've done to free this country. But this fact constantly give me that amazement that loving this great nation is part of my blood. 

Happy Undas everyone! 

And I'm proud to be an Filipino, 
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, 
who gave that right to me.”
~ excerpts from Lee Greenwood, edited.

© iamreservist

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Buhay Kawal: Psalm 91


- Psalm 91 - 

 A junior soldier was asked to pray for his comrades without hesitation. He prayed in bisaya while following through a verse from Psalm 91.

In some units of the Philippine Army, the troops are required to memorize in their full heart the contents of Psalm 91. This verse is not a pattern of prayer, but to them, it is a reminder of God's splendor and promise. It was even termed as the soldier's prayer. 

During World War I, the 91st Brigade of the U.S. Army prayed Psalm 91 together every day. Although they were engaged in three of the bloodiest battles in the war, these soldiers had no combat-related casualties. Psalm 91:1-16 (The Message) shows this promise. It also comforts our Filipino - Christian soldiers in the field; whether in operation or standby.

Buhay Kawal (Life of a Soldier) is not an a usual walk-in-the-park career. Rather lives are dedicated to serve the Filipinos with all bravery and courage. Their courage is knowing that fear is still existent in their lives but pressing on for the orders and the calling. 

All along they do this, to provide for their families whom they ever wish to come home safe. Psalms 91 comforts them from the fear of the unexpected events. Hence, yielding them courage to become better soldiers.  

This blog post is dedicated to the four marines who sacrificed their life last Sunday October 28, 2012 at Patikul, Sulu. iamreservist pays respect and condolence to the families. I pray for comfort for each and every individual facing the situation. All taps to... 
SGT RICARDO S NACARIO 834788 PN (M) 
CPL DEXTER JOHN G BATERINA 868829 PN (M)
PFC ALLAN B BERCILLA 897644 PN (M)
PFC GLEN C GAPASIN 899933 PN (M)

 © iamreservist