ABS-CBN Talk Show Host inspires 8ID new breed soldiers

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Today, the prominent media icon Mr. Eugenio “Boy” Abunda Jr, a Talent Manager and Talk Show Host of ABS-CBN attended the Ceremonial Entrustment of Firearms of Philippine Army Candidate Soldier Course Class 273-11 cross trained with Jungle Warfare Mountain Operation Course Class 273-11 of 8^th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division as Guest of Honor and Speaker. The ceremony was held at 8ID Grandstand spearheaded by Major General Mario F Chan, Commander of 8ID at about 6 o’clock in the evening.

The Mandala Class is composed of 119 new Privates. 13 of them are from Luzon, 24 from Mindanao and majority of them from Visayas specifically from the islands of Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Panay. For their educational background, 57 of them are high school graduates, 30 are college undergraduates and 32 are college graduates with 1 criminologist and 2 registered nurses. They successfully completed the four months training molded by the 8^th Division Training Unit.

During the ceremony, the new breed of soldiers showed the fighting capability of a soldier without arm in self defense demonstration using bayonet, arnis, taekwondo and pekiti-tirsia kali that amazed the audience.

Different stakeholders were also present to execute the entrustment of firearms named Rev. Fr. Arnulfo G. Sison, Parish Priest of Jiabong, Samar; Hon. Charita M Chan, Mayor of Babatngon; Hon Maria Fe R Abunda, Mayor of Borongan City; Hon. Stephany U Tan, City Councilor of Catbalogan City; Ms Christine AC Caidic, PIO, Samar Provincial; Engr. Luis D. Ortiz Jr,; Mr Roque D Villarin; Ms Marilyn D. Cardoso; and Dr. Jojit M. Casiño.

In his message, MGen Chan is very much thankful for the presence of media icons. He was looking for Samareños who are successful today as an inspiration not only to the young soldiers but to all Samarenos. That’s why he invited Mr. Boy Abunda to be the guest of honor and speaker of the ceremony.

The proud Samareño Boy Abunda expressed his heartfelt gratitude to MGen Chan for inviting him in this meaningful ceremony. He emphasized to the young soldiers the value of courage, trust and accountability of handling their firearms upon bringing the peace and order of our country. He also shared his experiences to the new privates on how to be a strong man and not to be hopeless in achieving their goals in life as what makes him now. “We are so interconnected; we should be celebrating commonalities rather than insisting differences because at the end of the day we are similar” says Boy. He was also thankful to the parents of the graduates who entrusted to their sons to be service oriented soldier of the nation.

Mgen Chan gave a plaque of appreciation and battle dress attire to Mr Eugenio “Boy” Abunda Jr. as a memento for granting their request and for inspiring 8ID soldiers as well as the parents of the new soldiers and visitors who have witnessed the ceremony. The 8ID will continue in protecting and developing Samar Island through the collective effort of Samareños and stakeholders in the region.###.