Navy rules the first musicHERO Battle of the Uniformed Bands

The Philippine Navy’s Marine Corps Combo (in camouflage uniform) was declared Champion of the musicHERO 2009. Other awardees are the bands of the Philippine Navy Seabees Band (1^st Runner Up), Philippine Army Jungle Fighter Combo (2^nd Runner Up and Best Vocalist) and Philippine Military Academy Cadet Combo (Best Original Composition). It was hosted by morning show host Bobby Yan and Cav. Bien Clarete of PMA Class 1999. DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. graced the event by launching the musicHERO CD and awarding the winner of the competition.

The first ever musicHERO Battle of the Uniformed Bands rocks SM Mall of Asia on March 27, 2009 as bands (combo) of the different military and law enforcement services showcased extra-ordinary performance beyond the expectations of the crowd. A variety of music was demonstrated ranging from pure rock to rap, r&b, reggae and ballad.

“Parokya ni Edgar” added spice to the program as the ultimate guest performer when Chito Miranda went down the stage for a jamming with the crowd. Also performing as guests are “Slapshock” and “Typecast” Bands. musicHERO Band representatives of the different AFP Branches of Service and other law enforcement agencies such as the PNP and BFP sang their production number entitled: “Mahal Kita Kapatid”.

In behalf of all the men and women of the uniformed services, Defense Secretary Gilberto C Teodoro Jr. and Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado received a copy of the musicHERO CD album from the Project Director Buddy Sambalilo. The DND Secretary expressed his support and gratitude to the organizers for initiating the noble project of paying tribute to the heroism of the men and women in uniform through original composition and band performance.

Members of the Philippine Military Academy Cadet Combo performed their original composition “Digma” which was chosen as the Best Original Composition by Judges Nonoy Tan, Angee Rozul and Mon del Rosario.

Marine Staff Sergeant Ramir Bayle received an “Agila Guitar” as his prize being the Best Individual Performer as he renders together with his fellow Marines their winning performance of “Laklak” to the tune of “Lumayo Ka Man” and their original composition “Kawal Pilipino”.

It is a tribute concert competition for the heroism of men and women in uniform, musicHERO organized by PMA Masikhay Class of 1999 with the following objectives:

1. PAY TRIBUTE to the heroism of the Filipino men and women in uniform, the sacrifices of their families, and to remember our fallen comrades.

2. PRESENT a new way to encourage the young generation to appreciate and join the uniformed service, or at least chose the ROTC as their NSTP preference.

3. PROVIDE an opportunity to show the other side of the men and women in uniform through a common language of the soul --- music.

Contestants qualifying for the Finals Night are the different bands (combo) as follows: Phil. Army 2nd ID Jungle Fighter Combo, Phil. Navy Seabees Combo, Phil. Air Force Combo, Phil. Marines Combo, Phil. Army Security and Escort Battalion Combo, Phil. National Police National Headquarters Combo, Bureau of Fire Protection "Firefly Combo" and PMA Cadet Combo.

musicHERO CD contains all the eight original composition submitted as entries as well as the musicHERO song and are now available for sale. For CD inquiries, contact 0922-817-1999 or 0917-517-1999.

Another Marijuana plantation seized in ASG known areas

The Anti narco-terrorism efforts in Sulu Province for almost five (5) months of the Command is once again proven successful with the raid of about 2-hectare marijuana plantation located at Sitio Bulas, Patao, Maimbung, Sulu by the Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 (MBLT4).

On or about 2:18 PM of November 10, 2008, joint operating team of MBLT-4 and other Marine operatives led by Major Jonathan Gabor, with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided said plantation.

On orders from Joint Task Force Comet Major General Juancho Sabban, the team tactically entered into a marijuana nursery farmland. The team uprooted more or less 500 marijuana hemps and burned an estimated 2,000 marijuana seedlings supposedly intended for the said vast plantation.

This is part of the series of raids by the unit in Maimbung and Talipao, Sulu. The first one was on 22 may 2008, where special operations were conducted by the Special Operations Platoon 4 of MBLT4 also led by Major Gabor together with operatives from 3 rd Marine Brigade in a reported marijuana plantation at Brgy. Patao, Maimbung, Sulu and discovered the site with approximately two (2) hectares of marijuana plantation. Approximately fifty thousand (50,000) marijuana plants with an estimated value of Thirty Million Pesos (P30,000,000.00) were confiscated and apprehended a certain Akaradja Sali, thirty (30) yrs old, resident of Laum, Maimbung, Sulu, a suspected marijuana producer/dealer who was subsequently turned-over to PNP Sulu. The troops immediately burned an estimated four (4) truck load of marijuana plants at the plantation site while two (2) truck load (m35 and isuzu elf) of marijuana plant where brought at MBLT4 for proper disposition as evidence.

The second successful raid made by the same unit was on 26 June 2008 and uprooted marijuana plants in about 1.5 hectares farmland at Brgy. Binuang, Talipao, Sulu. The uprooted marijuana plants of about two (2) truck loads were estimated to be worth Two (2) Million Pesos.

ASG Hostage Milet Mendoza Released

Humanitarian volunteer hostaged by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan was released on November 14, 2008 at about 10:30pm to Vice Governor Al-Rasheed Sakalahul, Chair of the Crisis Committee. She was brought the following day to Headquarters 1st Marine Brigade in Tabiawan, Isabela City at around 0900H. Later, BGEN. Rustico Guerrero, Commanding General of the 1st Brigade, led Ms. Mendoza and her group composed of Esperancita Hupida, Father Calvo and others to the Headquarters, Naval Forces Western Mindanao in Zamboanga City before 1200H. The party was met by the Philippine Marine Corps Commandant MGEN Ben Dolorfino.

Along with five other people, including her colleague Esperancita Hupida, Mendoza was abducted on Sept. 15 near Isabela City in Basilan by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf.

Navy divers to the rescue...

Members of the Philippine Navy's Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) prepares their gear before entering the mine tunnel which trapped miners after portion of the shaft collapsed due to heavy rain pour brought by typhoon Nina that hit Northern Luzon.




Additional personnel of the Philippine Navy arrived at the site to help the exhausted navy divers who first arrived at the calamity scene.

De La Salle Manila invasion!

GEARS THEY WEAR...

Assorted guns are on display as a Navy Officer awaits inquisitive enthusiasts and students of De La Salle University Taft (DLSU-Taft) to learn about the special equipment of the Naval Special Operations Group. A photo-static display was organized by the Philippine Navy through the Naval Reserve Command in DLSU-Taft for students, faculty members, and guests to better appreciate equipment our Navy-SEAL Teams use in their bid to perform its role to keep the peace and to pave the way to its other role as partner in nation building during disaster response, community building, informal literacy campaign and other socio-economic activities.




WHERE THREE LENSES MEET

Soldiers of the Philippine Marine Corps observe as a photo enthusiast takes a picture shot of the .50 caliber Barret rifle through the sniper scope at DLSU-Taft during the photo-static display of the Philippine Navy on September 25, 2008.





G.I. JANE IN THE PHILIPPINES

A military wannabe looks on as a member of the Naval Special Operations Group performs finishing touches in gearing her up as a “SEALS” during the Photo-static Display of the Philippine Navy at DLSU-Taft on September 25, 2008.

Philippine Navy Chief Of Staff Turn-Over

After serving as Chief of Naval Staff for about four months under two Flag-Officer-in-Commands, Commodore Vicente M Agdamag AFP leaves his post today September 24, 2008 to assume a crucial command of major responsibility. He will be replaced by the current Deputy Commander of the Philippine Fleet, Commo. Feliciano Angue.

The turn-over was made in a simple ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy presided by Rear Admiral Ferdinand S. Golez, AFP, the Flag-Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy. Commo. Agdamag will take the post as Commander of the Naval Education and Training Command which was the last assignment of the current Radm Golez prior taking the helm of the entire Philippine Navy. Located in the heart of Naval Station San Miguel, San Antonio, Zambales, NETC is the Philippine Navy's prime institution of learning whose mission is to provide education and training to naval personnel so that they may be able to pursue progressive naval careers.

Commo. Agdamag served the navy as the CNS for a very brief period of time but have made a lasting legacy among those whom he have worked in the headquarters of the navy. In his statement he said "most great leaders in history are megalomaniac. A megalomaniac is a person who has an obsession for grandeur." Referring to popular military and political leaders of the world with high desire for great fame and popularity, social influence and tremendous political power. "What lasting legacy could I possibly contribute to the office given the very short period of time that I served? Have I made my distinct mark?", he added. But in the end, he claimed "... I realized I need not worry on these thoughts, because I have made my distinct mark in the history of the office of the CNS."



Philippine Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command RADM Golez AFP, hands over the Symbol of Authority of the Chief of Naval Staff from Commo. Agdamag to Commo. Angue, the new CNS.