The Philippine Army (PA) will hold a month-long celebration for its 125th founding anniversary on March 22 with an array of activities.
Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PA Commanding General, said this year’s celebration was anchored on the theme: “Philippine Army @ 125: Kapayapaan Para Sa Lahat” with events lined up from March 1 to March 22, 2022 at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
“As we mark our esteemed organization’s 125th founding anniversary, I enjoin every Philippine Army officer, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resource to remain steadfast and committed in our mandate to secure lasting and inclusive peace for all,” Brawner said.
He said that the Army command has planned anniversary activities that will highlight the accomplishments of the Army in the fulfillment of its mandate to serve the people and secure the land, showcase its capabilities and transformation efforts, and recognize the contributions of stakeholders in the attainment of their mission and vision.
The PA was founded on March 22, 1897 after the signing of the Tejeros Convention with Captain General Artemio Ricarte as its first Commanding General.
Since then, the PA has been crucial in defending the country from various internal and external security threats, and in helping preserve peace in its allied countries.
The PA was involved in the 1950s Korean War where Filipino troops helped South Korea in defending their territory from North Korean invaders, as well as in the rebuilding of Hanoi in 1960s during the Vietnam War.
Locally, the Army took the lead in defending the country from terrorists, communist insurgents, and other lawless elements particularly during the Zamboanga siege in 2013 and Marawi City siege in 2017, among others.
Activities
Brawner initially held a meet-and-greet with members of local and foreign press last Wednesday, March 2, to kick off the activities.
On Thursday, Brawner led a wreath-laying ceremony and interfaith prayer service at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers, Libingan Ng Mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio.
In the first two weeks of March, there will also be a bloodletting activity, a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) Caravan, an Updates and Technical Inspection & Education (TI&E) activity to test the readiness of its Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Corps, a Physical and Mental Health Hygiene Awareness, a housing caravan, and an Army Recruitment and Reserve Component Caravan.
There will also be a two-day PA Senior Leaders’ Conference within this period, awarding of the Multi-Sector Advisory Board and Army Governance Pathway, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Integrated Information System, and an Army 125th Novelty Shoot Fest.
Brawner and other top Army commanders will also visit the 11th Infantry Division (11ID) in Sulu, 8th Infantry Division (8ID) in Samar, and 5th Infantry Division (5ID) in Isabela to distribute anniversary packages on March 14.
The following day, the Army’s anniversary coffee table book entitled “Your Philippine Army: 125 Years of Selfless Service to the Motherland” will be launched to showcase the historical narrative of the PA in the last 125 years. Another book about the lessons learned by the PA in the past century will also be launched on the same day.
The Army will also hold a Peace Concert with the theme “United in Music. One for Peace.” on March 18 to amplify a unifying voice for a national condemnation to end the local communist armed conflict.
A Heritage Walk will also be staged on March 21 where Brawner’s first 100 days in office will be reported. A demonstration of the first PA Flight Medic Training Proficiency Demonstration, Static Capability Display of the Army Health Service Enhancement, and an Open House of the PA Museum are all slated on the said date.
The month-long celebration will be capped off by three events on March 22 namely a PA-wide simultaneous flag-raising rite; a PA Day Program Proper for the awarding of outstanding Army personnel, and awarding of Army stakeholders in recognition of their exemplary contributions to the attainment of PA’s missions and thrusts.