It’s Christmas time and with it come the holiday wishes for the impending New Year. How best to get a feel of what Filipinos wish for in their heart of hearts than by asking members of society what they’d like to enjoy in 2025. In the first part of my “Christmas Wish Ko Lang” series, I asked a member of each branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (army, navy, and air force) and a PMA cadet to share with us what they wish for in the year ahead. 

MGen Rogelio D Ulanday PA (Philippine Army)

Commanding general

Army Support Command

Philippine Army

Camp Aquino, Tarlac City

MGen Rogelio Ulanday PA is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class of 1990. He joined the Philippine Army upon graduation. The current commanding general of the Army Support Command, he has listed five wishes for the New Year, four of them work-related. His first wish is for logistics support group commanders to be promoted to brigadier generals. The second is fully equipped field units across the country. The third is decent facilities for field units. The fourth is the regularization of newly activated units. His fifth wish is more personal: To be able to have more time to relax with his family. The major general is married to Carmel Pami-Ulanday, with whom he has three children, Nathan (23), Emman (21), and Baste (18).

Commander Michael S Iglesia PN (Philippine Navy)

CO, BRP Bacolod City LS550

Commander Michael Iglesia PN graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 2006. Choosing the Philippine Navy as his branch of service, he joined the Philippine Fleet. He is currently serving in the Sealift Amphibious Forces, specializing in surface warfare as well as in budgeting, fiscal, and finance. He is the current commanding officer of the BRP Bacolod City LS550.

Among his wishes are peace and safety for himself, the Philippine navy, and the country; constant communication with loved ones, especially in the face of the isolation that comes with being away during the holidays in the conduct of his duties; reunion with family, if at all the holidays could afford them this opportunity; good health; and a better future, including career advancement, opportunities for personal growth, and the general wellbeing of the country. 

Cpt. Kaye M. Robles PAF (Philippine Air Force)

Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot

Cpt. Kaye M Robles PAF is a member of PMA Salaknib Class of 2017.  Currently serving as a pilot-in-command of the S-70i Black Hawk Helicopter of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, she has been involved in numerous focused military operations, aerial reconnaissance, and various disaster response missions in the country.

Robles’ wishes are centered around the 205th tactical Helicopter Wing, one of the Philippine Air Force Units, “responsible in conducting tactical helicopter operations in support of the accomplishment of the PAF Mission.” Robels wishes for upgraded maintenance tools and equipment for the S-70i Black Halk and other assets; a dedicated hangar space than can provide proper storage, maintenance, and protection of aircraft; world-class billeting and rest facilities for personnel; expanded accommodations and improved recreational facilities to boost morale and overall wellbeing; upgraded training and simulation equipment and other state-of-the-art tools to advance pilot and crew proficiency along with more reliable communication and command systems. 

Robles hopes to see the implementation of modernized, secure communication systems to enhance coordination and interoperability during missions. On a more personal note, she wishes for safe flights for all the pilots and crew of the PAF.

Cadet First Captain Roncher L Bernabe CCAFP

(Cadet of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines)

Cadet First Captain Roncher L Bernabe CCAFP, 22 years old, hails from Santiago City, Isabela. He is the highest-ranking cadet of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines, having been designated as the “Baron,” the regimental commander.

Bernabe is the second of the three children of Ronnie Bernabe, a tricycle driver, and Chermalou Bernabe, a retailer. At a young age, he showed the makings of an exceptional leader. As a child, he was well-disciplined and diligent. An honor student in high school at the University of La Salette in Isabela, Bernabe was a first-year college Accountancy student at the Isabela State University before entering the Philippine Military Academy, a means to fulfill his dream of serving the country.

After graduation, Bernabe is set to join the Philippine Air Force.  “I personally wish to graduate from the academy together with my mistahs (classmates). As the regimental commander, I wish that God grant me the strength and wisdom to lead my fellow cadets, be a good example, and to be able to inspire them to do their best in all aspects of our training at PMA,” he says. “I wish that the underclassmen we will be leaving here in the academy when we graduate will be able to carry on the values taught them as the ruling class.” 

Among his wishes for Christmas is for all soldiers of the AFP to be able to spend time with their families. “Even if some of us can’t be physically present due to exigencies of the service, I wish that our families will still be happy and safe. Nothing inspires and motivates a soldier more than knowing that their family is safe and happy,” Bernabe explains. “I wish that the AFP leadership will continue to inspire us with their passion and unwavering commitment to serve and that they continue to help the young or next generation of leaders (us) to thrive and become better versions of themseves.”

Bernabe’s wish for 2025 is another year of peace, unity, and continuous development.