2 Fil-Am soldiers glad to be home

CARMEN, North Cotabato — Two members of the 25-man contingent the US military sent here to train a select group of Filipino soldiers and policemen in civil-military affairs and "life protection" have found a "home away from home."

Both in their early 30s, Sgts. Dante Garcia and Ariel Gaffud, both Filipino-Americans, said they are glad to be back in the Philippines.

Garcia hails from Iloilo City, and Gaffud from Quezon City.

Garcia said his father, Mike, is a retired Philippine Army soldier who spent most of his life in the military at Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija.

He said he and his parents left for the United States 20 years ago. He subsequently joined the US Army to follow the footsteps of his father.

"I’m happy to be back and to rub elbows with my brother Filipino soldiers," he said.

Garcia said he can still fluently speak his native dialect, Hiligaynon.

Gaffud, on the other hand, was brought by his parents to the US when he was still a preschooler.

Despite his being more American in his ways, Gaffud said his Filipino grandparents have taught him about Filipino culture and traditions.

"I am aware that we have a nice culture. (Filipinos) are warm and hospitable and very caring," he said.

Gaffud said he will not hesitate to taste native delicacies while in Carmen town such as adobong bayawak (monitor lizard cooked in oil and soy sauce).

"I also want to eat biko and suman (both made from glutinous rice) and other typical Filipino food," he added.