By Martin Sadongdong Philippine Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto led the conferment of the rank of second lieutenant to Army reservist and actor Matteo Guidicelli at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on Tuesday. Actor and Army reservist Matteo Guidicelli takes oath during the donning of rank as 2nd Lieutenant at the Philippine Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig on Tuesday.
(Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN) Guidicelli received the rank after President Rodrigo Duterte approved his commissionship last August 7. The actor-reservist was recognized for his volunteerism in using his influence to promote peace and impart patriotism especially to the Filipino youth in Mindanao region in addition to his completion of the Scout Ranger Orientation Course last June. “We need somebody who will speak for us. Somebody who we take from the outside na makikita nya yung totoo at masasabi nya sa mga tao hindi lang sa mga press, pero lalo na sa kabataan. Napakahalaga ng kabataan,” Alberto said. The family of Guidicelli, other Army senior officers and singer-actress Sarah Geronimo, Guidicelli's girlfriend, assisted Alberto in pinning the rank insignia on the actor. In his speech, Guidicelli thanked the Philippine Army for letting him, not just to spread a message of peace, but also to tell and represent the lives and sacrifices of the Filipino soldiers. "I will do my best to give my part as a Filipino citizen and part of the Army reserve to represent the Army in the best way possible and to tell the people how important the Army is for each and every individual,” Guidicelli stated. “These celebrities who are part of the Reserve Force, they can help project a better image for our country, better image for the Armed Forces because people listen to them. So it will encourage other members of the society to join the Armed Forces lalo na yung mga kabataan natin,” Alberto concluded.