Of warriors in the line of fire
MANILA, Philippines - Throughout our history as a nation, we Filipinos have never been left in want of freedom fighters that would gallantly fight for our rights against injustice and foreign domination, or display courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds in their desire to be free from the yoke of oppression. Their valiant struggles on the battlefield showcase a proud and brave race that never hesitates to make the supreme sacrifice in the pursuit of dreams.
Admittedly, however, the task of faithfully and factually chronicling the war exploits of our ancestors is difficult; it involves in-depth research, checking and counter-checking for accuracy.
It was thus refreshing that, in the course of career schooling, I chanced upon the relatively little-known book Philippine Campaigns by Uldarico S. Baclagon. A combat veteran himself, as well as an alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy (class of 1940), the author provides a vivid account of our martial history, giving it added depth and perspective. More importantly, his chronicle not only touches on the stirring victories of our armed forces, but also their miscalculations and bad decisions that led to unattained objectives, botched operations and costly debacles. Thus, the narrative serves as a valuable study material that readers can draw lessons from.
The book heightened my appreciation of our fighting forces’ tradition of valor, especially because, for so long, we seemed partial to, or more enthralled by, the wartime exploits of foreign legendary figures in the molds of MacArthur, Patton and Yeager, and perhaps used them as benchmarks for our own military leaders. It matters little, however, that the names of Filipino military heroes may not have resonated on the world stage. What really counts is that when they were called upon to serve when the safety and security of their countrymen were placed in grave danger, they gladly did their patriotic obligation even at the price of their own blood.
Somehow, I can easily relate making personal sacrifices in the line of duty. The subject never fails to strike a chord with me because I once had to watch my own bedridden younger brother be connected to his life support system each time my Luzon-based family visited our hometown in Catmon, Cebu. A graduate of the PMA and a member of the Army Scout Rangers, he was barely two years in active commissioned service as a young lieutenant when he was seriously wounded in action in Albay in 1990 –– a lethal slug of an M-14 rifle pierced through the left side of his head.
Even with the slimmest chance of survival, he miraculously hung on for dear life while staying in a coma for months. Virtually paralyzed on the right side of his body, he was eventually separated from the AFP through Complete Disability Discharge. When he returned home, he was confined to a wheelchair, unable to regain his ambulatory capability and totally dependent on the assistance of family members to do the otherwise simple things, such as taking a bath, going to bed, or just speaking coherently to be understood.
The situation turned from bad to worse three years ago, when he had a sudden epileptic seizure that was belatedly noticed by family members, resulting in delayed medical intervention. The physical effect of such an intense stroke on his already brittle body was so severe that some of us were forced to seriously consider putting his prolonged agony to a humane end. However, for whatever reason, he doggedly refused to give up, although he had to lie flat on his back from then on, subsisting on purely liquid food and unable to speak. Although he comprehends messages that family members intimately convey to him, particularly whenever we bid him goodbye at the end of each visit, as evidenced by the sorrow-filled swelling of tears in his eyes, his frail body’s lone emotional window. In poignant and tender moments like these, we hug him, reassuring him that he can always count on us, no matter what.
I would like to believe that the Almighty has a purpose in sparing my brother’s life. It has been 23 years since that terrible incident, and my brother, who was 26 and a bachelor then, will be turning 49 this November, with no wife and children to call his own. Perhaps he does not want to let go, because doing so will mean forever missing the company of his loved ones. Perhaps he continues on sans life’s basic comforts simply because of his fighter’s mindset –– the indomitable will to live.
Or perhaps our beloved mother, who passed away two years ago, continues to watch over and pray for him, even from the afterlife. Whatever the reason, we are grateful to God for the gift of still having him around. I myself would like to think of my disabled brother as a shining example of man’s infinite capacity to survive and endure despite overwhelming odds.
This brings me back to Baclagon’s saga. With his 406-page opus, the author has significantly contributed to the advancement of the contemporary soldier’s professional knowledge, and makes the present and future generations of Filipinos realize that they are the proud beneficiaries of a glorious military heritage. This book can adequately function as an alternative reference material for further exploring our martial archives, or as an added tool in their quest for truth.
One thing is certain, though: through this book, the reader will be made more cognizant and appreciative of our fighting troops’ sacrifices as they journeyed through hell in performing their patriotic duties –– something that my incapacitated brother in his sickbed would have proudly acknowledged with a snappy salute, albeit only in the deepest recesses of his heart.
THIS WEEK’S WINNER
Winston Azucena Ares joined military service at 18. His four brothers are also either active or retired AFP and PNP commissioned officers. He enjoys viewing the kaleidoscopic beauty of sunrises and sunsets, the panoramic fusion of sea and sky, and the timeless changing of the seasons with his soulmate, Maria Theresa, and their sons, Kevin Red Winston and Kiefer Dov Wesley.
