My 2nd visit at Marine Base

I visited again the Marine Base last February 23 and I spent over night in the camp. I have to go back there because I need to finish my photo shoot which was started last February 21. After that experience all I can say is: Time is so fast when you're there.

Sobrang nakakabitin, nakakamiss and nakakainspire yung pagbisita ko dun. I get to know more about our marines' life during and after training. The discipline that is imposed to them, the presence of mind, bravery and most especially the love for our country. I don't even know how to start this story kasi when I look back, there are countless ideas and story of experiences I had that I want to share. The gentlemen I met and talk with, their treatment to us, the journey, the food and the place.

I want to express my utmost gratitude to the following gentlemen who became instruments for me to appreciate more our treasured men in Marines:

Capt. Rommel Boñgalbal
Lt. Mike Mortel
Sgt. Alex Arugay
Sgt. Asufardo
Sgt. Cilajes
Sgt. Dayag
and other gentlemen who wholeheartedly accepted us. I don't have list of your names but I deeply appreciate your time and conversations we had.

With Sgt. Alex Arugay and Lt. Mike Mortel

With Sgt. Asufardo



With Sgt. Cilajes

Well, after I had my oral defense for my thesis last Saturday, me and my boyfriend Ken rode on Saulog bus and went straight to Ternate, Cavite. We arrived there at 5pm and sinundo kami ng white shuttle sa terminal ng Saulog. Capt. Boñgalbal welcomed us with his athletic uniform. Actually me and my cousin have a crush on him. He's quiet but sweet! haha... I spent the whole day taking pictures of the soldier candidates, new trainees and the Marine Orientation Trainees.

Sinusundan ko lang sila, nagoobserve lang pero parang pati ako napapagod din sobra. Habang tumatakbo sila ako din nakikitakbo, punta sila sa dagat punta din ako, kain sila manonood din ako. Nakakapagod pero ang sarap sa pakiramdam, worth the time and effort talaga. Naalala ko yung pumunta kami sa dagat, kasi kukuha ako ng shots habang naliligo yung trainees sa dagat nagulat ako kasi yung paglusong nila sa dagat, 2 or 3 minutes lang umahon na. Sabi namin "Yun na yun sir?" ang bilis, ligong itik nga daw sila. Sabi ni Lt. Mortel lahat ng ginagawa nila dun may bilang.

Lagi naming kasama si Sgt. Arugay, kasi siya yung in charge na magbantay sa amin, ang bait niya and laging nakangiti. Nagkwentuhan nga kami nung gabi about sa buhay niya as a marine. Sobra pala yung napagdaanan niya lalo na yung nadeploy siya sa Mindanao. During their encounter with the enemies, he witnessed deaths of his comrades. The anger and grief he felt, he shared that he treats his comrades more than his own brother.

Nung gabi na, nakipagbonding naman kami kay Sgt. Cilajes and his class 361 during their time to shine their combat boots. Ang kengkoy niya kausap, nakakatuwa. I remember when we asked him what's his sir name sabi niya, "Ako lang ang nagiisang silahis sa Marines" ahahaha.. grabe ang tawa namin nun wondering why, totoo ba yun? tinanong namin siya, yung pala ang apilyido niya Cilajes pronounced as silahis hahaha... grabe ang tawa ko dun. Imagine sundalong malaking katawan, matangkad tapos seryoso habang nagttraining, kengkoy din pala.

Exactly 10:00 pm ang lights off nila, akala ko wala lang, yun pala literal na walang ilaw sa buong camp pati sa kwarto namin. Tanging ilaw lang ng buwan yung pumapasok sa kwarto namin, ang lamig pagdating ng hating gabi. Ang lights on naman ay 4:00 am, yun din ang oras ng gising nila. Exercise, jogging and drillings ang nadatnan kong ginagawa nila sa grounds. Kailangan ko din kasing gumising ng ganung oras para kumuha ng pictures and also to get the feel sa labas ng ganung oras.

Pagdating naman ng umaga sinubukan ko yung obstacles nila, grabe ang hirap! sumakit yung braso ko.. pero ayos lang at least nagawa ko. Di ko lang nagawa yung iba, nakakatakot kasi e. Naririnig ko din yung chants na kinakanta ng mga senior trainees habang nagmamarcha. Pag narinig mo yun, kikilabutan ka.. ang galing talaga.

May nakausap din kaming isang kano dun, balikatan kasi kaya nanun din sila, nagtatanong siya kung para saan yung ginagwa namin, kung bakit daw yun yung pinili kong topic and marami pang iba ... hayun, nose bleed.. naubusan ako ng english! haha...

Bago kami umalis, nanood muna kami ng basketball, naglaro kasi yung kasali sa balikatan e, pinoy vs. kano, ang galing haha.. todo cheer pa nga ako pag nakakashoot yung mga marines natin. Ang liliksi kasi nila, ang bilis kumilos napagiiwanan nga nila yung mga kano e, yung mga kano naman bumabawi sa block.. ang tatangkad kasi. Nakakatuwa talaga.

Ngayon nasa bahay na ko, gusto ko pa din bumalik dun, nakakamiss. Unforgettable experience that I'll treasure forever. Sabi ko nga kanila Sir, babalik po ako dun promise.

they just say : Hihintayin ka namin Mam!