“SA Kalayaan may Pag-asa” is a phrase that the Philippine Marine Corps has recently come up with which will undoubtedly conjure up patriotic sentiments in majority of Filipinos.
The double meaning is obvious, and whoever suggested the inference is going to be proud of himself for having the distinction of coming up with what I envisage to be one of the catchiest phrase in the days to come relative to the nation’s struggle to keep our islands from being encroached by foreign claimants.
I first heard of the phrase “Sa Kalayaan May Pag-asa” in a Philippine Marine Corps video where its Commandant, Major General Romeo Tanalgo, challenged people to take part in the first ever Philippine Marine Corps Marathon:
“Hinahamon ko kayong lahat na makilahok sa unang-una at naiibang Philippine Marine Corps Marathon” (I challenge everyone to join the in the first ever and one-of-a-kind Philippine Marine Corps Marathon).
“Ang inyong pagtugon sa aking hamon ay simbolo ng inyong paninindigan, pakikibaka at pananalig sa ating mga mandirigma na patuloy na tumutupad sa kanilang katungkulan na ipagtanggol ang kasarinlan ng ating Inang Bayan” (Taking on the challenge is a show of solidarity in support of our troops and our faith and trust in those who continue to fulfill their duty of protecting the independence of our beloved country).
Ako po si Major General Romeo Tanalgo, Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps. Sa Kalayaan may Pag-asa! (I am Major General Romeo Tanalgo, Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps. In freedom there is hope!)”
The Philippine Marine Corps Marathon will be held on Sunday, November 15, at the Marine Base, Camp Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Cavite. Race details could be found at http://frontrunnermagph.com/pmcmregform.pdf.
While the mission of the Philippine Marine Corps remains to be as provider of combined arms units in the conduct of amphibious operations and other operations in support to the mission of the Philippine Navy, and its vision is still to become the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ premier force in readiness and the nation’s force of choice by 2020, in its programs and public pronouncements, it is slowly veering away from merely winning the peace (internal security) to defending the archipelago (external security).
Today, Saturday, November 7, the Philippine Marine Corps is celebrating its 65th Birthday with the traditional Cake Cutting ceremony and Marines Ball at the Philippine Marine Corps Headquarters at Camp Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Happy 65th birthday, Philippine Marines Corps! BEEN THERE DONE THAT/JOSEPHINE JARON-CODILLA
