Soldiers to celebrate Father’s Day through social media

MANILA, Philippines - While most families will celebrate Father’s Day today being together, soldiers out in the field also intend to be part of yearly family bonding activity – thanks to the Internet and other forms of social media.

“The Philippine Army, home to valiant and committed soldiers, joins the whole world in celebrating Father’s Day,” Army spokesman Maj. Randolf Cabangbang declared.

Just like any soldier, Cabangbang said his family is in Davao while he is in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“Barring signal problems, soldier-fathers can now communicate with their families on this very important occasion,” Cabangbang said.

From his office, Cabangbang said he would reach out to his wife and children back in Davao.

For Capt. Frankjo Boral, who is currently assigned in a remote village in M’lang in North Cotabato, the situation is somewhat different.

“I was lucky if could visit them every six months. When my daughter celebrated her second birthday, I was already in North Cotabato and failed to make it home. When she was born, I only had about ten hours to take a glimpse at her because I had to report back to the assignment then at Fort Magsaysay,” Boral said.

Today, Boral is again away from his wife and his two year-old daughter Sarah Eloisha.

But thanks to social media, Boral intends to spend one to two hours today on his computer to make that important video call.

He said that just like him, most of the men under his command are also excited to call their families back home.

“Occasions such as this remind us that more than being soldiers, we are fathers. Today, I’ll spend an hour or two in front of my computer, talking to my wife (who is also an officer) and daughter on Skype. I’m excited to see new tricks or dance moves from Sarah Eloisha,” Boral said.