In the Philippines, it is now
considered a tired old cliché for a showbiz celebrity to offer service to the
country by entering the field of politics. Nowadays most entertainment
personalities, particularly the young and fit ones, tend to render voluntary
service by joining the nation’s military, as a reservist or auxiliary. At one
point the major networks sort of waged an undeclared competition on which side
had the most talents in the military reserve: recent examples include GMA7’s
Rocco Nacino and Dingdong Dantes (Navy), now-TV5’s Matteo Guidicelli (Army),
and ABS-CBN’s Gerald Anderson (Coast Guard). Speaking of whom, Gerald’s
now-girlfriend has also joined him there.
As The Manila Bulletin tells it, Kapamilya actress Julia Barretto
became the newest young-celebrity Armed Forces reservist when she was sworn
into the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Auxiliary. She earned her Coast Guard
bars this past Wednesday, September 1, in a simple swearing-in ceremony at PCG
Headquarters in Port Area, Manila. Barretto was one of four newly-minted
auxiliarists sworn in that day, and the most senior of them to boot. The ceremony
was presided over by Coast Guard Adm. George Ursabia, and one of the witnesses
to the occasion was Julia’s boyfriend – and PCG Auxiliary Lieutenant Commander himself
– Gerald Anderson.
Both Kapamilya stars shared
photos of the event on social media. It is interesting to note also that both
Anderson and Barretto are in the same PCG Auxiliary unit, the K9 Squadron. This
unit employs auxiliarists accompanied by trained police dogs for search and
rescue and added security against smuggling. In addition, the PCGA K9 Squadron
aids in promoting animal welfare and enforcing related laws, as well as foster
closer relations between the Coast Guard and the communities they serve.
After being sworn in, PCG
Auxiliarist Julia Barretto gave a statement on behalf of her batch, promising
to “actively support the initiatives of the unit towards the delivery of humble
and compassionate service to the Filipino people." Adm. Ursabia had
commented during the ceremony the need for more K9 personnel not just in the
Coast Guard but all services, in the interest of national security. He thus lauded
Julia and her fellow new auxiliarists for their commitment, as the PCG
continues its operations ranging from humanitarian missions to disaster
responses.
Image courtesy of ABS-CBN News
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