‘Manny Sundalo’ to the rescue

MANILA, Philippines - Trust a soldier to get things done in a flash, especially if he is his own commander.

This was what Rock Ed Philippines founder Gang Badoy-Capati realized after getting her wish done by a soldier she had known only as “Manny Sundalo” from whom she had requested for an airlift for victims of the Florida bus accident in Mountain Province early this month.

“Manny Sundalo” would turn out to be Armed Forces chief of staff Manuel Bautista.

In a Tumblr post that has gone viral on the Internet, Badoy-Capati shared yesterday what she called an embarrassing story about her encounter with Bautista. On her phone book, Bautista was listed as “Manny Sundalo.”

“I was given a number to call so I can request for airlifts for the critical care survivors during the Florida bus crash in Bontoc. Someone gave me a number saying ‘ito, sundalo, si Manny - matutulungan ka niyan, kilala mo yan (this one is a soldier. He can help you. You know him),” she narrated.

Badoy-Capati, a writer-at-large for Esquire Philippines and known for her advocacy to promote alternative education, said she called the number late at night to guarantee that a ride would be provided to the injured survivors.

“I bugged him and was a bit stern and firm, told him, ‘Sir, aasahan ko yang helicopter ha ng 5 am sa Bontoc (Sir, I expect that helicopter at 5 am in Bontoc).’ And he was really listo (smart) and said, ‘Yes Ma’am, I guarantee it,’” she said.

Badoy-Capati said she even namedropped AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, saying she would call him if there was no helicopter. She said Manny Sundalo replied, “Ay sige, Ma’am pero ako rin ang tatawagan ni Colonel (Ok ma’m, but I might get a call from colonel anyway) .”

The Rock Ed Philippines founder said that when they got to Bontoc, “the Air Force was there, available, willing (and) efficient.”

“They flew everyone as best they could. Done and done. I was so grateful. So I (messaged) Manny the soldier again and said ‘thank you,’ broke the news that Mylo (Cabardo, one of the victims) didn’t make it but we were grateful for the chance to try everything for his family,” said Badoy-Capati.

She said Manny called her back and said, “At your service, Ma’am, condolence, sorry about your friends.”

Badoy said she was surprised upon learning that she had been dealing with the country’s top soldier all along.

“Hindi niya ako inangasan (He was never abrasive) at the time I was in a state of edgy panic and urgency. He didn’t (though he could have) pulled literal rank on me. But he didn’t,” she said.

“I’m so grateful hindi niya ako inastahan ng ‘hindi mo ba ako kilala?’ (He didn’t blurt out ‘you don’t know who you’re talking to?’) Or nag alpha-male-whatever, though he must’ve chuckled at how clueless I was when I was bugging him so late at night,” she said.

Badoy-Capati posted a screenshot of her messages to “Manny Sundalo” after she learned about his true identity.

“Buti rin di ko alam na kayo AFP chief kasi baka nerbiyosin ako. Pero salamat talaga, Sir. SALAMAT (It’s a good thing, I didn’t know he’s the AFP chief. Otherwise, it would have unnerved me. Sir Thank you),” she said followed by, “Sir, hero ka namin. :)” Bautista simply replied, “Hero tayo lahat (We’re all heroes).”

Badoy-Capati originally referred to Bautista as lieutenant general, but later apologized after one of her followers pointed out that the AFP chief’s rank is general.

“And today I realize he’s a General, not a Lt. Gen (anymore) and the hole gets deeper... haha sorry po. Sir sir po thank you sir po salute,” she said in a Twitter post.