MANILA, Philippines — Based true stories of a member of the Philippine Marine Corps and a Scout Ranger, short film "Dahon" shows snippets of the lives of soldiers in the battlefield in Mindanao.
The film was released on YouTube in late August by HERO Foundation, which provides scholarship benefits to children of Marine Sgt. Emiliano Hemongala and Scout Ranger Sgt. Roberto Ricafranca, to celebrate National Heroes Day.
Directed by Dominc Carlo Nuesa, it stars Zyruz Imperial and JC Tan.
"Dahon" by the HERO Foundation Inc.
MSgt. Emiliano Hemongala of the Philippine Marine Corps was called to reinforce a detachment outpost when his convoy was ambushed. The sole survivor, he was able to fend off the enemy from his armored vehicle. Rescue came more than an hour later and successfully extricated M.Sgt Hemongala. He lost his right leg and some movement in his arm. Scout Ranger Sgt. Roberto Ricafranca, a top gun in his sniper class, volunteered to stay and provide cover fire for his retreating troops. He gathered all their ammunition and told them to get to safety. From an elevated position, he laid down sniper fire until he ran out of bullets. As a direct result of his sacrifice, dozens of his brothers are still alive today.