THE PHILIPPINE STAR, page 20 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2009
By: JAMES MANANGHAYA
Following a wave of recognition
and rewards, three of the
four honor guards during the
funeral of former President
Corazon Aquino would be given
military merit medals for
their exemplary performance.
Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) spokesman Lt.
Col. Romeo Brawner said
Army Pfc. Antonio Cadiente,
Airman Second Class Gener
Laguindan, Navy Petty Officer
3 Edgardo Rodriguez
would be awarded in a formal
ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo
today for showing the highest
form of discipline and professionalism
when they guarded
the remains of the late leader
to her final resting place.
Brawner said the three carried
out their task in the finest
military fashion - even if it
was not in the field of combat
- earning them not only local,
but international recognition.
But he clarified that the
three would not be the only
ones to be awarded but also
other soldier's who were involved
from the wake at La
Salle Greenhills to the Manila
Cathedral.
"It would not be a single
awarding because they are
about 1,000 AFP personnel,
but definitely everybody
would be awarded," he said.
Brawner said AFP chief
Gen. Victor Ibrado is very
proud of what the soldiers did,
because they not only showed
the present state of discipline
within the ranks but also they
were able to show the military's
love for the beloved leader by the simple
gesture of rendering full military honors.
He said they are expecting
the three to become role models
among their colleagues and
inspire others to do thei r job
well regardless of their assignment.
Following the funeral
march, the three soldiers became
instant celebrities. Everywhere
they went, people
would want to have their picture
taken with the four, who
gained recognition because of
the extraordinary display of
discipline and professionalism
in standing beside the coffin
bearing Aquino's remains for
more than eight hours.
Last Friday, they were given
"cash rewards" by Sen.
Alan Peter Cayetano and
former senator Butz Aquino in
Makati City.
Last Thursday night, the
four were invited by the Aquino
family to join a Mass and
dinner at the house of Philippine
Olympic Committee
chair Jose "Peping" Cojuangco
at his residence in Makati
City.
There, they were also given
"cash rewards" for their extraordinary
feat, which according
to Cadiente, would go
to their families.
Laguindan said the recognition
that they received after
serving as honor guards made
them feel that every assignment
in the AFP is never too
little for anyone.
"Even if, as a soldier, you
are not fighting out in the field,
even if you are assigned in the
office, we should do our share
and do our job in the best way
we could," he said.
By: JAMES MANANGHAYA
Following a wave of recognition
and rewards, three of the
four honor guards during the
funeral of former President
Corazon Aquino would be given
military merit medals for
their exemplary performance.
Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) spokesman Lt.
Col. Romeo Brawner said
Army Pfc. Antonio Cadiente,
Airman Second Class Gener
Laguindan, Navy Petty Officer
3 Edgardo Rodriguez
would be awarded in a formal
ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo
today for showing the highest
form of discipline and professionalism
when they guarded
the remains of the late leader
to her final resting place.
Brawner said the three carried
out their task in the finest
military fashion - even if it
was not in the field of combat
- earning them not only local,
but international recognition.
But he clarified that the
three would not be the only
ones to be awarded but also
other soldier's who were involved
from the wake at La
Salle Greenhills to the Manila
Cathedral.
"It would not be a single
awarding because they are
about 1,000 AFP personnel,
but definitely everybody
would be awarded," he said.
Brawner said AFP chief
Gen. Victor Ibrado is very
proud of what the soldiers did,
because they not only showed
the present state of discipline
within the ranks but also they
were able to show the military's
love for the beloved leader by the simple
gesture of rendering full military honors.
He said they are expecting
the three to become role models
among their colleagues and
inspire others to do thei r job
well regardless of their assignment.
Following the funeral
march, the three soldiers became
instant celebrities. Everywhere
they went, people
would want to have their picture
taken with the four, who
gained recognition because of
the extraordinary display of
discipline and professionalism
in standing beside the coffin
bearing Aquino's remains for
more than eight hours.
Last Friday, they were given
"cash rewards" by Sen.
Alan Peter Cayetano and
former senator Butz Aquino in
Makati City.
Last Thursday night, the
four were invited by the Aquino
family to join a Mass and
dinner at the house of Philippine
Olympic Committee
chair Jose "Peping" Cojuangco
at his residence in Makati
City.
There, they were also given
"cash rewards" for their extraordinary
feat, which according
to Cadiente, would go
to their families.
Laguindan said the recognition
that they received after
serving as honor guards made
them feel that every assignment
in the AFP is never too
little for anyone.
"Even if, as a soldier, you
are not fighting out in the field,
even if you are assigned in the
office, we should do our share
and do our job in the best way
we could," he said.
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