1 PHILIPPINE DEFENSE NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER ...

1PHILIPPINE DEFENSE NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2014

2 PHILIPPINE DEFENSE NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 76TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE 2015

PHILIPPINE DEFENSE NEWSLETTER



EDITORIAL

76TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE 2015


Public Affairs Service (PAS ) Department of National DefensePAS Building, Natividad Avenue

Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City 1110Tel: (+632) 982-5679 Fax: (+632) 911-7113

Email: [email protected]

Dir. Paul Peter R.G. Galvez, MD,MNSADir. Arsenio R. Andolong, MNSA

ADVISERS

Jude P. MorteEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marina M. Agustin Anthon A. Cayaco Managing Editor Associate Editor Nelson L. Gallarde Noriza S. Atienza Finance News Editor Prime S. Berunia Jasmin Michelle L. Añana Media Relations Layout Artist

Carmelita L. Briones Research

Sgt Isidro R Areja Administrative Services

ContributorsCol Noel J Detoyato (AFP)

Eva B. De los Santos (DND) Dianne M. Gammad (DND)

Hiyasmin O. Karunungan (GA)Chester Cabalza (NDCP)

Romina R. Marasigan (OCD)Ma. Juanita S. Fajardo-Rivera (PVAO)

Support Services Assistance & Support by Gloria A. Bantaotao AFP-PAO Shella D. Sonogan OJ7 SSgt Anthony B Cadiz CRS-AFP Public Affairs Offices of

Philippine Army Philippine Navy/Philippine Marine Corps

Philippine Air Force

Ruferick C. SomeraRenato C. AlbaPhotographers

NEWSLETTER

Change vis-à-vis continuity This is a special issue of the Philippine Defense Newsletter (PDN) to commemorate

the founding anniversary of the Department of National Defense, which celebrates its 76th year. In this issue we also begin to take stock of the accomplishments of Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who celebrated the DND’s founding anniversary as national defense chief for the last time. Because in a few months, after the 2016 national elections, the helm of the Department would have been turned over to the next administration.

With the guidance of the President, Secretary Gazmin’s efforts for the past six (6) years resulted in the improvement of DND’s system of management. His term saw the implementation of institutional reforms and the establishment of a solid foundation for the modernization of the country’s armed forces. Under his watch, the department has also embarked on a defense transformation that traverses a carefully planned roadmap towards becoming a credible defense organization.

Now that change in leadership is inevitable, the continuity of the programs that have already taken off and those that are already smooth sailing, becomes imperative. The Philippine Defense Transformation Roadmap that has been laid out has to see its full fruition.

The PDN is also on the fringe of change. This issue is now actually a collaborative work between outgoing Editor-in-Chief (EIC), yours truly, Miriam G. Albao and incoming

Setting up shop The first op-ed column of any wordsmith is always a challenge. After all, it signals the writer’s beginning of setting up shop, and trying

to establish rapport with readers. It also signals this writer’s transition from private sector reporter to

Department of National Defense word (and occasionally photo) monkey. Granted, there are going to be some changes in approach and thinking, but the effort and output needed are the same.

It also helps that the office wherein this writer is involved is the public face of the Department of National Defense (DND). Meaning, it involves national security matters, and helping the DND out in whatever way possible helps everybody know what the agency does.

That means incorporating some changes into the Philippine Defense Newsletter (PDN), including This Issue’s Featured Asset (TIFA, a regular feature in PDN depicting a particular Armed Forces of the Philippines’ resource), story angles, and even prize-winning photos.

We at the DND-Public Affairs Service enjoy this iteration of the Philippine Defense Newsletter.

Jude Morte

EIC, Jude Morte. The coming issues will then be taken over by the new EIC.An adieu is not necessary though, it is time to take a bow to be able

to take on new roles and challenges in the department. The passion for service continues in many other ways, but it has to be said that it is truly an honor and a privilege to have served the DND and the country with the might of the pen.

Miriam Albao




Navy nails it!

PHILIPPINE NAVY WINS DND ANNIVERSARY PHOTO CONTEST

Serviceman 2/SN2 Ariel B. Francisco of the Philippine Navy topped the recently concluded Department of National Defense (DND) 76th anniversary photo contest.

His entry stood out from the 30-odd participants, and best depicted the “Kagawaran ng Tanggulang Pambansa, Kaagapay ng Sambayanan Tungo Sa Isang Matatag, Maunlad at Mapayapang Kinabukasan (Department of National Defense, side by side with the country towards a solid, progressive and peaceful tomorrow)” theme.

The photo depicted the Philippine Marines rapidly disembarking a M-PAC (multiple purpose attack craft) during a training exercise in south Luzon. “With the winning shot, I was supposed to cover that two-day activity as part of the PAO-Navy [Public Affairs Office-Philippine Navy]. It was a September 2015 10 a.m. amphibious exercise near the Gen. Gregorio Lim Marine base in Ternate (Cavite), and we at the PAO-Navy went ahead to get good image angles. When the Marines rapidly went offshore with the photographed M-PAC, that presented me with an instance to get shots...I took great

pains to avoid the camera and the lens getting wet (or allow sand to enter either periphery), given the circumstances,” recalled Francisco.

The win validated Francisco’s journey from shutterbug novice to skilled lensman. “When I first joined the PAO-Navy five years ago, I didn’t have any photography skills. I learned them from joining PAO-Navy photography seminars in 2012 (theories and practical sessions, with the cameras provided by the lecturers) – and thus stoked my interest in the field... Those PAO-Navy photography seminars I attended taught me the basics, what I should and shouldn’t do, and gave me (through classroom and on-hand learning) opportunities to hone my craft...I then realized that the military’s goal to win the hearts and minds of the Filipino people, promoting the good image of the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines can be done via photography.”

Francisco used a PAO-Navy issued Canon EOS 60D and a Canon 24-105 mm L lens with the winning photo.

Captain Joe Patrick A. Martinez of the Division of Public Affairs Office-4th ID of the Philippine Army bagged second. The photo depicted children of Sitio Lantad (Misamis Oriental) watching television with Major General Oscar T. Lactao, commander of the Philippine Army’s Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division and fellow servicemen of the Division. The image depicted the Philippine Army’s willingness to help civilians in need, which in the photo’s case was the barrio’s need for electricity and a means to get in touch with the

PHILIPPINE NAVY WINS...(Continued from pg 4)

76TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE 2015(continued on page 5)




outside world via television. Administrative Officer II

(Philippine Veterans’ Affairs Office-Veterans’ Memorial and Historical Division) Marlon Peralta landed in third place with a photo of troops in Rayadillo

dress during the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), seemingly walking uphill towards the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Symbol of Valor) in Bataan. “The [seemingly] uphill path walked by the soldiers shows the struggle to achieve valor...We at the Philippine Veterans’ Affairs Office (PVAO) always promote valor as the armor of the soldiers, enabling them to do heroic deeds,” said Peralta.

For Peralta, the third place result was a celebration of sorts for his first year as part of the PVAO. “I was in awe, it gave me confidence and validity that I could be a photographer...This could also help me out in the PVAO, as we do community work.”

The contest was open to non-professional photographers of the DND and its myriad bureaus or major service commands. Each bureaus or major service command can submit a maximum of three entries, taken within a January 2015-October 9 2015 time frame, and should include a caption of not more than 100 words (either in English or Filipino). Photos must have a minumum resolution of 1,400 x 1,120 pixels, and a printed output size of 16

inches x 20 inches (roughly half the size of a 28 inch television).

Only minor digital enhancements – for example, color retouching - were allowed.

Submitted images must be photographed personal ly by participants, and should not be published in any media outlet nor deemed as winner in any other photo contest.

Photos had to adhere to the theme “Kagawaran ng Tanggulang Pambansa, Kaagapay ng Sambayanan Tungo Sa Isang Matatag, Maunlad at Mapayapang Kinabukasan (Department of National Defense, side by side with the country towards a solid, progressive and peaceful tomorrow),” and were judged on theme relevance (35 percent), overall impact (35 percent) and creativity (30 percent).

Judges of the photo tiff were journalist Priam Nepomuceno, news wire photographer Ted Aljibe and Associated Press photographer Alberto “Bullit” Marquez.

PHILIPPINE NAVY WINS...(Continued from pg 4)

76TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE 2015


SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 SPECIAL ISSUE 2015



SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 SPECIAL ISSUE 2015

PHILIPPINE DEFENSE NEWSLETTER8

PAEAN FOR THE POWERS OF DEFENSE: HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE’S HYMN WAS CREATED

By definition, a hymn is a song specifically written for the purpose of highlighting a prominent personification.

That said, the Department of National Defense (DND) hymn highlights what the DND is all about, from the Philippine Army to rescue and relief efforts to wartime policies.

Penned by reknowned singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon (and the brainchild of DND-Public Affairs Service deputy chief Marina M. Agustin), the DND hymn was borne out of the need to have an institutional paean, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Defense Colleges of the Philippines (NDCP), the Government Arsenal (GA) and the Philippine Veterans’ Affairs Office (PVAO) each had their respective canticles – but the DND never had an anthem to call its own.

As part of the DND-Public Affairs Service’s (DND-PAS’) campaign to strengthen the image of the DND as a whole, the DND proposed the creation of its own hymn that would best represent the identity, core values and unique traditions – along with paying homage to the DND’s dedicated service (whether from its civilian or military personnel) to the nation.

Cabangon was commissioned to do the anthem in late 2014, and by January 23, 2015, Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin approved of the DND hymn’s melody and lyrics. On March 20, 2015, the DND paean was formally launched by Secretary Gazmin, promulgated by Department Order 81. On April 13, 2015, the DND hymn

was played during the regular Monday flag raising ceremony for the first time, specifically at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Canopy.

“I met then-AFP Chief Of Staff General Pio Catapang in a gathering for [Budget Secretary] Butch Abad. It was there where he told me that he liked my song Hanggang Mamatay (‘Until Death’). He also asked me if the AFP can use it for their campaign in raising people’s awareness on what the AFP is doing and their advocacy. Then Captain Frank Sayson from the PA, also a film-maker, contacted me for the music video. While filming, [DND-PAS deputy chief] Marina Agustin approached me and asked me if i can write the hymn of the DND since the department is celebrating its 75th anniversary,” recalled Cabangon.

Upon hearing the DND hymn for the first time, DND-PAS chief Director Arsenio Andolong was ebullient in praise. “It’s very inspiring, especially when the hymn is played with a brass band...The purely vocal version by [DND hymn composer] Noel Cabangon doesn’t do it justice...It shows the identity of those working at the DND, what are we, who are we, what we do, and what are we mandated to do.”

Agustin was also happy with the finished product. “I love it whenever the DND hymn is played during the Monday flag ceremony...It has been my dream to have a DND hymn [for the longest time]...It’s worth the effort of waking up in the morning, after the grogginess of the weekends.”

(continued on page 9)




PAEAN FOR THE POWERS OF DEFENSE: HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE’S HYMN WAS CREATED

The positive effect of the DND hymn was also reflected in those that made efforts to turn the paean into a music video. “It’s a march of sorts that tugs at the heartstrings...It’s bigger than life, it made me realize that although I play a small part in the grand scheme of things at the DND, we all have important roles to play,” beamed Public Affairs Office-Philippine Navy director Commander Lued Lincuna.

Lincuna’s command station recently won Best Video in a recent DND-backed music video-making contest for the DND hymn.

PAEAN FOR THE POWERS...(Continued from pg 8)




Navy nails it again!

PHILIPPINE NAVY WINS DND ANNIVERSARY VIDEO CONTEST

The Public Affairs Office of the Philippine Navy (PAO-Navy) topped the recently concluded Department of National Defense (DND) 76th anniversary video contest .

The PAO-Navy entry stood head and shoulders atop a field that included the Public Affairs Service of the DND (PAO-DND), the Public Affairs Office of the Philippine Air Force (PAO-PAF), the Public Affairs Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (PAO-AFP) and the Stratcom Division of the Philippine Ve t e r a n s A f f a i r s O f f i c e .

“When we received the call from the DND to join the video adaptation contest for the DND hymn, we wondered how to make an already beautiful theme more [attractive]... Our working theme for the video was putting ourselves in [Secretary of National Defense Voltaire P. Gazmin’s] mindset...We discussed, ‘How to think like [Mr. Gazmin],’ and not just focus on the Navy. We didn’t use still images, everything in the video was composed of moving shots, what’s frequently happening on the ground, what is the DND inside and out. We didn’t want to show just the office

inside goings-on of the civilian affairs parts of the DND, we wanted to show actions that best portrayed what they do on a daily basis, we tried to avoid centering on personalities and instead focusing on the entities comprising the DND,” said PAO-Navy director Commander Lued Lincuna.

Lincuna claimed that took the PAO-Navy five days to a week to build the video. “Fortunately, we at the PAO-Navy had archived footage from previous endeavors, and our purely PAO-Navy equipment is at a VERY competitive level so that whenever there are instances requiring coverage, the output is topflight. Also, doing the video was a team effort, many contributed to the construction of the video...Frankly, when the deadline arrived and we had to submit the finished video, I felt that there were elements lacking, that we could have done better...It was sheer l u c k t h a t w e w o n .”

Although the PAO-DND entry finished in second, the theme adherence and the fact that the

hymn’s lyrics were in sync with the entry’s moving images wowed the judges, which included reknowned singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon (who also composed the DND hymn), Defense Press Corps president (and DZRH senior reporter) Bing Formento, and Business Mirror motoring writer Randy Peregrino.

“This [the PAS-DND entry] is the result of teamwork between everybody at the PAS-DND, myself and Jasmin ’Jas’ Añana in particular...I chose the photos and layout, Jas did most of the editing and video software magic...Mind you, I never had any formal training when it came to making videos, but my family background in fine arts and creative matters helped,” beamed DND-Public Affairs Service deputy chief Marina M. Agustin upon learning of the PAO-D N D e n t r y ’ s r e s u l t .

The PAS-PAF entry placed third.Video entries were allowed to

one per bureau or major service command, should be an original

Outstanding DND employees hailed

(continued on page 11)

PHILIPPINE NAVY WINS... (continued from pg. 10)




Outstanding DND employees hailed

To recognize the contribution of its employees to the organization, the Department of National Defense/DND conferred awards to its outstanding personnel for the year during its 76th founding anniversary celebration.

Held last November 6, 2015, at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Club in Camp Aguinaldo, the DND selected the 2015 model supervisors and employees from the DND proper, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), the Government Arsenal (GA), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

The model supervisors for 2015 were Denon G. Anchinges (DND Proper), Eusebio M. Ramos, Jr. (AFP), Maria Juanita F. Rivera (PVAO), Dr. Maria Lourdes Regina Montenegro (VMMC), Amado M. Posas (NDCP), Gladys M. Pua (GA), and Gloria DJ. Marteja (OCD).

Meanwhile this year’s model employees are Marie Carl R. Paragas (DND Proper), Noreen Acosta-Lalo (AFP), Don Jomar S. Hombrebueno, Rosita P. Macay (VMMC), Janilyn Astrid T. Bartolome (NDCP), Rolando V. Molano (GA), and Wellington I. Cabatuan (OCD).

14 employees in the DND Proper were Mr. Armando Ebreo M. Abejuela (OUSDP), Ms. Penelope G. Pamittan (IAS), Ms. Faysaleyyah P. Abdullah (OASSA), Mr. Samuel Castro (OASAIL), Mr. Dick P. Diolola (OASHR), Mr. Johnafrey N. Advincula, Mr. Roy M. Reyes, Mr. Ramon B. Nieves and Ms. Maria Margarita H. Medina (AS), Ms. Ruthrina S. Gonzales and Ms. Mia Lei V. Salbang (OASFM), Ms. Joyce Ann S. Azurin (OASPP), Atty. Effie R. Agsaoay (LAS), and Ms. Marina M. Agustin (PAS).

Outstanding Achievement Medal to Engr. Allan John G. Lumibao of the GA’s engineering division, along with the AFP’s Major General Demosthenes C. Santillan.

Engr. Lumibao was recognized for his meritorious achievement in rehabilitating the Precision Net-Weight Filling and Check Weighing Machines in March 2014, for just P50,000.00. His innovation brought the machines to operational status, which would have cost P400,000.00 to P500,000.00 to repair.

In addition, through Engr. Lumibao’s initiative, the machine’s inclusion in the assembly process “increased even further the operational and logistical management efficiency of the [GA] through the increased speed gained in checking the weight of the bullet during cartridge assembly.”

Because of his “adaptive innovation and professional ingenuity,” Engr. Lumibao contributed significantly in increasing the efficiency of the GA’s production and lowering the cost for the government.

Each awardee received a cash incentive and a plaque of recognition awarded by Secretary of National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin, assisted by Undersecretary of National Defense Honorio S. Azcueta and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Human Resource OIC Director Nebuchadnezzar S. Alejandrino.

PHILIPPINE NAVY WINS... (continued from pg. 10)

work, must not have any entertainment, business, sports or national defense personnel of note, and must not show content that promotes or encourages terrorism, sedition, racism, and illegal activities.

Participating bureaus/major service commands were responsible for all video costs. Only Windows Movie Maker, Adobe Premier, Sony Vegas and similar desktop-based production software were allowed in the production and post-production of the final video cuts.

Criteria for judging was based on theme adherence (35 percent), creativity and originality (30 percent), entertainment value (20 percent), and video quality (15 percent).

1 PHILIPPINE DEFENSE NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER ...

Documents

Transcript of 1 PHILIPPINE DEFENSE NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER ...