SOLDIER OF ALL

Special Issue Official Publication of the Civil Relations Service, AFP December 2010

Kagitingan at Kadakilaan.
Alay ng Kawal Pilipino
para sa Inang Bayan
AFP

Soldiers in Combat 4
Beyond the Bounds of
Service and Sacrifice

Participants in Good
Governance 9

PLUS: Centerfold Calendar

Disaster Response and

Rehabilitation 17

A Soldiers Christmas 24
 C
FOREWORD
ontents A
nother year is passing and as the
country prepares for Christmas,
the Armed Forces of the Philippines
3 Christmas Greetings becomes one with the nation in this celebration, the
4 Beyond the Bounds of Service and Sacrifice most joyous time of the year.
6 Bodies of Steel... Hearts of Gold It is with great pleasure and honor to provide
8 Forging Warriors, Honing Skills you with this special Christmas Edition of the Soldier
9 Soldiering Good Governance of All Magazine, the official publication of the Civil
14 Building the Nation’s Dream Relations Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines.
17 Extraordinary Efforts in Extreme Situations Now on its fourth installment, we shall focus
19 So That Others May Live... and highlight the soldiers’ solid contribution to peace,
20 Flights of Mercy security, and national development, as we look back
23 Putting People First... on a productive and meaningful year that is about to
25 Christmas in the Hearts of Soldiers end.
This issue would bring light to every soldier’s
significance in the attainment of a society where the
values of freedom and democracy are felt and have made
their mark. Visually highlighted in the pages to follow
are the triumphs, the hardships, and the sacrifices that
all soldiers have to go through in the fulfillment of their
duties as protectors and defenders of the nation.
It is the editorial staff’s hope that thru this issue,
we may all be enlightened that soldiers are also humans,
flesh and bone. Moreso, they also long for the love and
care of their families and loved ones.
Rest assured that we will continue to be your
EDITORIAL BOARD protector, defender, and guardian; a promise and vow
we fulfill and renew as years pass.
CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
We will continue to fully dedicate ourselves for
the security and safety of every Filipino.
BGEN JO S E Z MA BA NTA J R A F P
Commander
We will never cease to exceed your expectations.
We are your Soldiers of All, For All.
COL ROL AND O G J U NGCO ( GS C ) PA F
Deputy Commander
Have a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
COL JOSELI TO E K A K I L A L A ( G S C ) PA
Chief of Staff

EDITORIAL STAFF
About the Cover
LTC A M E R IG O A FA BR IG A R (G S C ) PA F
Editor-in-Chief
Spanning 75 years, the Filipino
MAJ OL I V E R A BA ÑA RI A PA F Soldier has courageously
Managing Editor
heeded the call and humbly
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS takes his/her place to live and
MSG Simeon B Eugeniuo PA die for the people. Christmas
MSG Rosendo Z Pamati-an PA Helen Buñales
MSG Ernesto A Lagrimas PA time reflects the surge of every
Fei Padilla
SSG Jose C Sumilig PA Annie Cruzada soldier’s rededication and
SGT Julius C Seriosa PAF
CPL Sitti Aisa N Sanaani PA
Elizabeth Columbres renewal to serve beyond the call
Eddie Grafane
CPL Sue Anne L Yosoya PA Grace Lina
of duty. In fact, this one special
PFC Lenelyn B Tomas PA Erl Durano December issue of the Soldier
A2C Orlando D Bacalso PAF John Vincent Cardenas
AW2C Thelma C Piedad PAF of All showcases an eclectic
John Ray Ramos
PFC Joven D Lapidez PA tableau and portraits of the
PFC Juliet M Balmes PA Filipino Soldier’s extraordinary
PFC Yucel Grey Loneza PA
heroism and sacrifices.
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Message

O
Anniversary.

n behalf of the officials and personnel of the Defense Department
and my family, I convey my warmest congratulations to the Armed
Forces of the Philippines on the occasion of its 75th Founding

On this memorable event, I commend the men and women ofthe AFP who remain
true to their profession as soldiers who are fully committed to defend the Constitution,
uphold the rule of law, protect democracy, and preserve the peace and statbility
throughout the land.

May God bless us all and guide us in performing our tasks to attain peace and unity
for the entire nation.

Happy 75th Founding Anniversary!

VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN
Secretary
 CHIEF OF STAFF
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO
QUEZON CITY

Message

T he Armed Forces of the Philippines joins the whole Christendom in commemorating

the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. We, soldiers and civilian employees, unite in
sending to the Filipino people our message of peace, humility, and love.
The Christmas season is that time of the year when we relive a great story that continuously shaped
our faith for more than two thousand years now. It is about the journey of a family to Bethlehem
and the humble birth of a savior, which paved the way for the Almighty God’s ultimate expression
of love for His people through the sacrifice of his beloved son to redeem the sins of mankind. Today,
the spirit of the first Christmas still reverberates amongst us.
The men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have always been paragons of selfless
sacrifice, upon which the profession of arms is predicated. We as protectors of the people braved
the demands of the life we chose so that others can continuously enjoy a life of freedom and liberty.
We give up our personal comforts and, when circumstances demand it, we willingly dedicate our
lives so that others may succeed in their pursuit of happiness. We are called to dispense public
service by efficiently doing our traditional and non-traditional roles, which we do with humility and
enthusiasm until our course is run. In fulfilling our oaths, let us always be guided by the ideals of
respect to human rights and strict adherence to the rule of law, for only then can we truly be soldiers
of God and His people.
Let us be inspired by the example of unity, perseverance, and faith of the Holy Family amidst
the trials and tribulations of their journey. Let us welcome the coming year with optimism and
renewed hope, despite the challenges that will certainly come our way. Let the Armed Forces of
the Philippines, as one big family, epitomize the lessons of the Christmas story. As we celebrate
Christmas 2010, let us all keep the noble meaning of this occasion close to our hearts.
On behalf of my family, I extend to you and all your loved ones my warmest greetings of a Merry
Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. I pray that our loving God will be with us throughout the
coming years.
Mabuhay and Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas!

RICARDO A DAVID JR
GENERAL AFP

4 Soldier of All
 CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO
QUEZON CITY

Message

O n behalf of the men and women of the Civil Relations Service,

allow me to extend our warmest felicitations to our fellow soldiers
and civilian employees who form part of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines on its 75th Anniversary.

Through all these years, we, in Civil Relations Service, continue to carry out our roles
and responsibilities as public servants towards the attainment of our goal of having an
environment conducive to peace and development.

Congratulations to all of us and may this occasion also hold the promise of a peaceful
and bountiful Christmas and New Year for all our soldiers and their families.

Happy Anniversary and a very Merry Christmas to everyone.

Mabuhay ang Hukbong Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas!

JOSE Z MABANTA JR
BGen AFP
Commander, CRSAFP

Soldier of All 5
 T H E A R M E D F O R C E S

W e members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will

be serving the best interest of our nation.
Challenges ahead shall be met with greater dedication and
determination towards the fulfillment of our mission.

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 Beyond the Bounds of
Heroism and Sacrifice
O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S

We strive for excellence .

We exceed expectations .

7
Soldier of All 7
 Bodies of Steel

The Filipino
Hearts of Gold

T
Soldiers
hrough wind and rain, through fire and ice,
Filipino soldiers have withstood the test of
time. Cries of anguish and tears of joy have both
been shed in the pursuit of a conducive society
where Filipinos enjoy the existence of
peace, unity, and where
solidarity exists.

8
8 Soldier of All
9
Soldier of All 9
 F rom training to the battlefield. The AFP
continues its tradition of excellence in training men by instilling discipline,
enhancing skills, and inculcating values and attitudes to forge generations
to generations of men who become soldiers and warriors of our nation.

Forging

W arriors
Honing

S kills

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A Gift to the Filipino People:

Soldiering
Good Governance
The AFP is part and an advocate of the
National Government’s drive for good
governance. Staying along the “tuwid
na daan”, the AFP helps the national
government in extending public service
from the cities up to the farthest barrios.

Good Governance is a key

to peace and development. It is all
about service to the people, the
true mandate of the government in
which the AFP is part of.

Soldier All 11
ofof All
Soldier 9
 Teaming up with
Local Government

G ood Governance is a key to securing peace and development for the

country. Linking with Local Government Units ensures that matters of security
goes hand in hand with the goals of local government. It is a team effort with each
government agency of its own specialization. There is no rivalry, only a common desire
to see the country and its people to become the best in the world.

12
12 Soldier of All
 Reaching Out
The AFP reaches out to the people, young
and old, nationwide, touching lives and
giving hope.

13
Soldier of All 13
 Building
the Nation’s Dream

Soldiers are tasked not to destroy but

rather to protect and help in building
up the nation.
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 L
ighting up homes,
laying down water
supply, paving roads,
and building centers for health
and education in far flung areas.
These are the concrete actions
of ehich the AFP is supporting
good governance, this is a
way of showing that there is a
government serving them.

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Soldier of All 15
 The Last Link to Safety. An
Airman rescuer dangles from a
helicopter to pluck a little boy
from the rampaging waters and
bring him to safety.

16 Soldier of All
AFP Disaster Response:

Extraordinary Efforts in
Extreme Situations

T
hey wade through murky waters or fly even in zero-
visibility conditions. They dispense with the cold,
blinding rains, and gale winds. They scour rubbles and
debris; plunge in hostile environments. They race against time.
They expend the last of their energy to save lives in distress.

The Soldiers are at the front line of every disaster response

operation. Indeed, in the most crucial of times and in the advent
of disasters and emergencies, our Soldiers are not far behind. And
in every situation, their self-sacrifice, courage, and dependability
are re-created, carved, and remembered.

Many times the wrath of nature overwhelms our soldiers. But

for the likes of PO2 Julhasan Arasain, Cpl Adriano Regua, Pfc
Venacio Ancheta Jr, and many others who gave up their lives in
rescue efforts, they will not hesitate to do it all over again because
the mantra of every soldier-rescuer is -- every life saved is worth
the sacrifice.

These Soldiers are the visage and visions of hope at the

bleakest hours in some people’s lives. Indefatigably, their strong
arms will continue to reach out whenever and wherever their
help is most needed.
TEXT BY GRACE AND ERL

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

505TH PAF SEARCH AND RESCUE GROUP
PHILIPPINE ARMY
1ST CIVIL RELATIONS GROUP
MSG ERNESTO LAGRIMAS

LAYOUT BY ERL

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18 Soldier of All
 So That Others May Live ...

Theirs are the first boots on the ground;

the first sturdy arms that people cling to;
the first image that keeps the fire of hope burning in
the distressed hearts of the victims of calamities...

Soldiers are the first responders;

from sunrise to sundown they toil
Their purpose clear -- the lives of others are more
important than their own.

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 Flights of Mercy

Dousing Flames. The Philippine Air Force search and rescue groups display their fire fighting skills
through the scoop-and-drop maneuver using a bambi bucket (2nd photo from left) to help put out fire
such as that of Super Ferry 14 in February 2004 and in Maharlika Village in Taguig City on July 2005.

Flying under zero-visibility

Touchdowns in the most unlikely places
These wings of valor get there
To reach and to carry people to safety

20 Soldier of All
To places inaccessible by road, the Armed
Forces of the Philippine carries out emergency
food airdrops to quickly deliver food and water
rations to starving children and adults.

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 A Soldier’s face brings hope
and comfort in what usually are
tragic and dismal situations

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The AFP’s Enduring Commitment:
Putting People First

Soldier of All 23
24 Soldier of All
Christmas in the
Hearts of Soldiers

The Christmas messages of goodwill, hope and

love are resonated and reflected in the varied
circumstances of selflessness and personal
sacrifices that our soldiers willingly endure – The
Filipino soldier whose heart beats for others.

TEXT BY PFC LEN BARLAS-TOMAS, ERL, & GRACE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MSG ERNESTO LAGRIMAS, PAO AFP, & 66IB

LAYOUT BY ERL

Soldier of All 25
 N
o matter where they are and no matter the danger
they may be, Soldiers always try to do something
to remember and celebrate Christmas time.

Many soldiers celebrate Christmas far from home – whether

in a mess hall in Bicol; or in a bunk in Samar; or trudging
along the hills of Compostela Valley; or navigating along
the coasts of Basilan; or solitarily by the shores of Spratlys.
Hence, Soldiers find that the best antidote to their Christmas
blues is to spread Christmas cheer and the messages of hope
and love especially to children and spend a time of fellowship
with the less fortunate. Some play Santa Claus by handing out
candy and gifts and putting a wide smile to an orphan’s face;
others cook and provide much needed food and other supplies
to poor families in nearby and distant villages. While many
more are spending it in constant vigilance in deep jungles
and marshlands to ensure that everyone else can enjoy the
joyous season of Christmas with their families and loved ones.

Every year, many soldiers readily make this

extraordinary sacrifice with hope in their hearts that
this will be appreciated by the Filipino nation by praying
for our troops to come home safe to their families.

The Filipino soldier who lay down their lives on the line
‘so that others may live’ strongly epitomizes the spirit and
meaning of Christmas. Verily, the soldier’s sense of duty,
deep abiding faith, and love of country which bring forth
joy, hope, strength, and reassurance to the people they
serve are tangibly expressed in all places and at all seasons.

26 Soldier of All
 The sentinels’ sentiments
In rugged places, these intrepid men also think of
the warmth of their homes... of family and fellowship

Soldier of All 27
Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year