For many actors in the Philippine showbiz industry, becoming a military reservist is both an honored duty and the newest constructive “in thing” for celebrities to engage in. The Philippine Army, particularly its elite Scout Ranger unit, already has the likes of recently-married actor Matteo Guidicelli to speak for them while the Navy is proud to have among their own Kapuso actor Dingdong Dantes, who is a reservist Lieutenant Commander. But one should not think the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is not an attractive option for reserve training by showbiz personalities, as no less than two have started their training.
The Manila Bulletin reports that ABS-CBN actors JM De Guzman and Kiko Estrada are the latest prominent celebrities to try out for the reserve commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Their chosen branch of reserve service is with the Philippine Air Force, for which their reservist training began in earnest this past Monday, March 9. De Guzman himself shared images of himself and Estrada at Villamor Airbase, the PAF headquarters. Specifically, the photos were taken inside the Officers’ Clubhouse, where the two appear to be undergoing the reservist orientation and a crash course in military drill procedures.
That was how JM described what he and Kiko did on their first day of Air Force reserve training on his captions for his Instagram post. He wrote that the instructions on drill and military courtesies were their first step towards officially becoming PAF reservists. To that end De Guzman thanked their hosts for welcoming them to the program: Col. Bon Castillo, 1st Lt. Shahani Ballares who gave them their orientation lecture, and Staff Sgt. Jimmy Jandog Angana for coaching them in drill and courtesy, as seen in the photos with the rifle drill instructions.
Both co-starring in the Kapamilya Network’s early-evening primetime tele-serye “Pamilya Ko,” one would be surprised to see JM De Guzman and Kiko Estrada signing up for reservist training, as one would expect cast members from “A Soldier’s Heart” or such to take up the challenge. Still, it is heartening to see showbiz personalities devoting time in the service of the country through the armed forces reserve, with JM and Kiko soon to find themselves among distinguished company with the AFP.
Image from Philippine Entertainment Portal
Morgan Magazine 