Wounded soldiers get checks from STAR

Fourteen wounded soldiers confined at the AFP Medical Center's Heroes Ward received yesterday P10,000 each from The Philippine STAR's "Filipino Soldiers for Peace Fund."

The fund, beefed up by donations from STAR readers, has raised P3,496,958 for soldiers wounded or killed in action in Mindanao, notably in the drive to rescue hostages held by Muslim extremist rebels in Basilan and Sulu.

"One soldier thanked us when we gave him a check," said 1999 STAR Face of the Year finalist Raisa Mislang, "but we told him that we should be the one thankful for what they have done."

The soldiers received their checks from STAR Face of the Year finalists, STAR editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte and FCB chairman Jose Manuel "Babes" Romualdez, the first to send in a donation to the fund.

Aside from Mislang, the other finalists present were Alex Ortigas, Anna May Corveau and Joanne Negele.

They handed out the first set of checks representing part of the funds raised by the STAR's "Filipino Soldiers for Peace Fund" to 14 of 16 soldiers who rescued 15 children hostages from the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.

Recipients of the P10,000 checks were Pfc. Nelson Vergara, Pvt. Manuel Victoria, Cpl. Rick Asejo, 1Lt. Roderick Satuito, Pfc. Joebert Balajadia, CAA Junar Totoh, S/Sgt. Mario Gongona, T/Sgt. Marcelo Dupay, Sgt. Armando Viollanuweva, 1Lt. Arnulfo Dieza, Pfc. Glenn Gomonid, Pfc. Dominador Oriola, Pfc Landan Halik and T/Sgt. Roger Roy. Already discharged from the hospital were Corporals Erwin Alindong and Dandy Tmagos, who will also receive the same amount.

Assisting the STAR group were anesthesiologist and Commanding Officer of the AFP Medical Center Col. Paterno Palangdao, who thanked the Philippine STAR saying, "We really want you to give moral support to these people sacrificing their lives. Your mere presence shows very good support"; orthopedic surgeon and Lt. Col. Adrien Quidlat, head of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma; Chief Nurse Col. Alma Bella Ancheta; and Deputy Chief Nurse Col. Gloria de los Santos.

The "Filipino Soldiers for Peace Fund" was initiated by the STAR last May 9.

For the STAR group, the visit was a chance to interact with modern-day Filipino heroes.

"I learned how the military man lives-- how hard it is," said Alexandra Ortigas, who with the other Face finalists took time to chat with the soldiers while handing the checks. "And when we asked them if they'd still go back, they said they would. They will do anything for the country."

Anna May Corveau said of the visit, "It's an honor because not everyone is given this opportunity to see the heroes of our country, those who fight for peace. In my own way, I have given them thanks."

Joanne Negele, for her part, was overwhelmed seeing soldiers who, despite having lost limbs and sustaining other injuries, still manifested a "willingness, a dignity. Before, they were so complete, with arms and legs. Afterwards, they're incomplete. But still, they're willing to go back to their work."

Pvt. Maurel Victoria, who participated in a Basilan rescue operation last April 28 and sustained a fracture in his right arm said, "Salamat sa Philippine STAR at nandiyan kayo para tumulong sa akin. Kung puwede, sa lalong madaling panahon, matapos na yung gulo sa Mindanao. (Thank you to the STAR for being there for us. I hope the conflict in Mindanao will end soon)."

1Lt. Roderick Satuito of Bicol echoed the sentiment saying, "Sa katulad naming malayo sa probinsiya namin, sa pang-araw-araw naming panggastos, malaking bagay ito. Sana bigyan niyo pa kami ng panalangin. (This is a big help for us who are far from our homes in the provinces. We hope you also give us your prayers)."

"Soldiers have (somehow) been associated with violence," said a ranking officer who wished to remain anonymous. "Now they are recognized as peacekeepers. With what happened in Mindanao, suddenly people are aware of the soldier's roles. People from all walks of life have been coming here for the past three weeks to four weeks to show sympathy. We are grateful and happy that now we can see that the hardships and sacrifices our soldiers are appreciated, when in the previous years they were not acknowledged."