Proposed Relinquishment Speech of LTGEN REYNALDO B MAPAGU during the 53rd Change of Command of the Philippine Army HPA Grandstand, FBMM, 23 July 2010 "A Journey Worth Traveled, A Challenge Willingly Taken." [Troop commander, Major General Sealana, kindly give the troops tikas pahinga.] I. Greetings and Acknowledgements His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Honorable Voltaire T Gazmin, Secretary of National Defense and Mrs Gazmin; Lieutenant General Ricardo A David Jr, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Mrs Lolot David; Major General Arturo B Ortiz, the Incoming Commanding General, Philippine Army and his lady, Mrs Cynthia Ortiz; The Most Reverend Leopoldo S Tumulak D.D., Bishop of the Military Ordinariate; Honorable Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, the Representative of the Lone District of Sarangani Province; Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, DND; Director General Jesus Verzosa, Chief, Philippine National Police; Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard; Lieutenant General Oscar Rabena, Commanding General, Philippine Air Force and his wife, Josie; Rear Admiral Roberto Estioko, Vice Commander, Philippine Navy; Major General Hilario Atendido, Acting Vice Chief of Staff, AFP; Rear Admiral Mario Catacutan, The Acting Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP; Members of the Joint Staff, AFP; Area Commanders present; Major General Butch Supapo, Vice Commander, Philippine Army; Major General Willie Campos, Chief of Staff, Philippine Army; Army Division Commanders; Former Commanding Generals, Philippine Army; Members of PMA "Makatarungan" Class 78 and their ladies; Members of PMA Class 79 and their ladies; Members of the Foreign Armed Forces Attaches; Members of the Enlisted Personnel led by Chief Master Sergeant Guillermo P Francisco; Members of the Civilian Employees led by Ms Rosalina M dela Paz; Members of the Media; Other important guests; My family and other relatives led by my ever loving and supportive wife, Tess; Relatives and friends of Major General Ortiz; My friends and classmates in High School; Ladies and gentleman.... Good morning. Ralph Waldo Emerson said and I quote, "we are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities," unquote. II. Unexpected Charge The announcement of my selection as Commanding General, Philippine Army was a pleasant surprise when it came out a day prior to the scheduled Army Change of Command last 12 March 2010. It was an overwhelming moment yet I was ready to take on the post, confident that the ever reliable men and women of Team Army will deliver well and take the lead in the fulfillment of the AFP's Internal Security Operational thrusts and priorities. III. Gratitude It was truly an honor to be given the opportunity to serve our country in this esteemed capacity, and I can proudly say that it was indeed a very fulfilling personal experience to be in the company of heroes - our Army soldiers. I thank the Almighty Father for allowing me a chance to serve the Philippine Army in this capacity, His direction and guidance had been my strength and solace that enabled me to surpass all the life's challenges. To Him, I give glory for all the opportunities He graciously grants me and my family. With the opportunity and trust given to me, I am indebted the most to every member of Team Army - from the unit commanders to staff officers, senior Non-Commissioned Officers, enlisted personnel, civilian ranks and most significantly to all the men manning the ramparts in the field and guarding the farthest and remotest detachments. These are the people who have always been with me in many defining moments, challenges, and victories in my career. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. IV. Tasks Accomplished As I mentioned during my assumption, "the Philippine Army under my watch will be an Army focused on achieving results." Hence, I am proud that Team Army did more than what was expected without the heroics, but with the daily heroism the Filipino soldier is known for in every corner of this country. Sa tulong ng bawa't isa, ating nagampanan ng buong husay ang katungkulang pangkapayapaan, lalo na sa nakaraang eleksyon. Ating napatunayan ang propesyunalismo at pakikiisa ng Philippine Army sa napakahalagang prosesong politikal na nagdaan. Dahil dito, tunay na masasabi ko na ang dugo ng kabayanihan at katapatan sa tungkulin ay buhay na umaagos sa Philippine Army. While work for the fulfillment of our 2010 ISO goal has been extended, Team Army continues to perform the tasks at hand with consistent focus, collective commitment, and strong determination. This is an impetus that we are carrying out to ensure that we fulfill our commitment toward peace and development to the people we are mandated to serve. V. Relinquishing Post At ngayon, sa aking pagsasalin ng pamumuno ng Philippine Army, ako ay lubos na nagagalak na ang aking kapalit ay isang pinuno na tunay na kumakatawan sa kabayanihan ng Kawal-Pilipino sa pangkasalukuyang panahon. Bilang isa sa iilang sundalong nakatanggap ng pinakamataas na medalya ng kagitingan, ang Medal for Valor, at sa tatlo pang Gold Cross Medals at awards of distinction na iginawad sa kanya, tunay na hindi matatawaran ang serbisyo, sakripisyo at pamumuno ni Major General Arturo Bayuga Ortiz. Walang alinlangan at panatag kong iiwan ang Hukbong Katihan, dahil alam ko na ito ay nasa mabuting pangangalaga. Alam ko rin na patuloy niyang pagyayamanin ang magagandang katangian at prinsipyo ng propesyunalismo, integridad, disiplina at dedikasyon ng bawat kawal ng Philippine Army. Dahil dito, hinihiling ko sa inyong lahat na ibigay ninyo kay General Ortiz ang inyong buong suporta at kooperasyon, gaya na rin ng pagtulong ninyo sa aking pamumuno sa nagdaang mga buwan. VI. Taking Another Responsibility As I will soon assume the responsibility of the Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, I wholeheartedly thank our President and Commander-in-Chief, AFP; the Secretary of National Defense; and Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines for trusting and believing in my humble capacity as soldier and servant of this nation. My thanks also to the Secretary of National Defense and Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines for favorably endorsing my designation. Makaaasa kayo na patuloy kong gagawin hanggang sa abot ng aking makakaya ang bagong tungkuling iaatang sa akin at taos-puso akong tutulong sa Philippine Army sa lahat ng oras na inyong kailangan. VII. The Source of Inspiration Before I end, I would like to sincerely thank my family led by my kindhearted and ever supportive wife- Tess together with our children - Rhiza Fatima, Reyelle, Reynel, Reynald and Reyan. Thank you so much to all of you. Because of your love and understanding, I stand tall despite all the challenges. You are my strength, joy, inspiration and comfort. Thank you so much for being always in my side despite some oddity that comes into our lives. Kayo ang aking tagumpay. Salamat dahil nanatili kayo sa aking tabi at hindi ako iniwan kailanman. Maraming salamat. VIII. Concluding Statement As I relinquish this post, let me adopt the words of Max DePree, "the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant," which I will always be to the Filipino people. Muli, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat at mabuhay ang Team Army!   -END-