The Philippine Army (PA) recently recognized the service and dedication of its reservists during the first ever “Philippine Army Fellowship Night with Reservists” hosted by Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., at the PA Officers’ Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Brawner, in his fellowship night address, cited the crucial part of reservists in nation-building, particularly their role at the forefront of humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) efforts in times of calamities.
One of those recognized during the Dec. 5 event was Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary and First Lieutenant Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo (Res.) who expressed pride in being part of the PA as a reservist.
“I have so much respect for our soldiers. Their sense of duty and patriotism is admirable. They risk their lives just so most of us could sleep at night. That is why I’m proud to be part of the Army reserve force. It’s my commitment to always find the best way to serve our country,” Lamentillo said in a statement on Friday, Dec. 9.
Meanwhile, Deputy House Speaker and Colonel Isidro Ungab (Res) received the Bronze Cross Award from Brawner while Department of Tourism Sec. Christina Garcia Frasco, House Deputy Speaker Cebu Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco, and Lanao del Sur Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong were commissioned into the Army’s reserve force.
Singer-actress Jessa Zaragoza-Avanzado and actor-singer Brent Valdez were likewise enlisted as privates in the Army reserve force during the event.
Senator and Brigadier General Francis Tolentino (Res), who serves as the commander of the 1501st Ready Reserve Brigade, and Senator and Lieutenant Colonel Sherwin Gatchalian (Res) also graced the event.
Four enlisted celebrity reservists—Francis Cyril “Dingdong” Avanzado, Julieane “Aya” Fernandez, Jean Christopher Santos, and Ivan Carapiet—also received rank readjustments during the activity.
The Army reserve force serves as the expansion base for the regular force in times of national emergencies, war, rebellion, or invasion. They also assist in relief and rescue operations during disasters or calamities.
