Lt. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, received celebrity reservists Major Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes and CMO2 Kristine Soguilon-Lim (Philippine Navy Goodwill Ambassador for Culture and Arts) at the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters during their courtesy visit on March 15.

During their visit, the Philippine Navy and CMO2 Soguilon-Lim also presented two art pieces from her "Bridging Horizons" project. This project promotes diplomacy and civil-military operations through cultural and artistic exchange and has inspired reserve force participation.

In his message, the TDCSAFP expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Navy reservists for empowering other reservists to use their talents and take a greater role in nation-building and peace-building.

“We laud your efforts in empowering the reserve force, setting an example of how you can contribute to the AFP mission, and inspiring Filipinos to unify for one purpose and attain lasting peace. The AFP is supportive of your endeavors,” said LtGen Gaerlan.

Last Feb. 13, Dantes, Lim, and other Navy officials also graced the turnover ceremony of the artwork for the "Bridging Horizons: Naval Cultural Exchange Thru Arts" project held at the official residence of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines, H.E. Marat Pavlov.

Among the representatives of the Philippine Navy at the event were Commander Naval Reserve Command, MGen Joseph Cuison PN(M), with personnel from the Naval Reserve Center Commander-National Capital Region, and reservists from the Naval Forces Reserve National Capital Region and Marine Affiliated Reserve Combat Service Support Battalion-Frontliners Brotherhood Inc. (MARCSSBN-FBI) through the Naval Reserve Public Affairs Unit (NRPAU).

Through the efforts of Lim, Dantes, YN2 Uno G Lim PN (Res), a Philippine Navy Goodwill Ambassador for International Relations, and International Relations Committee Chairman of the City of Manila; and JO1 Joseph Francia PN(Res)-Philippine Navy Goodwill Ambassador for International and Local Media Relations, First Vice President and Head of International Operations, GMA Network, the project aims to showcase the uniqueness, beauty, and importance of our heritage and culture while fostering artistic and cultural interactions to assist and strengthen national diplomatic endeavors.

It also aids in military arts and cultural diplomacy and supports our country's civil-military operations while acting as forums and hubs for activities that encourage the exchange of concepts, knowledge, music, artwork, and other aspects of culture with individuals from many nations and backgrounds.

It will also help create the foundation for the Philippine Navy's goal of becoming a cutting-edge, multifunctional force by 2028.

In a message, the Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Toribio D. Adaci Jr., conveyed the nation's two long-standing relationships and expressed optimism that the initiative's success would serve as a bridge to bring them together.