"Sa aking 27 years in the reserve, very challenging sya. Bilang volunteer, minsan niri-risk mo yung buhay mo at minsan magrerespond ka ng walang wala. As a reservist, tutulong ka na wala kang ine-expect in return. Kung nandon talaga ang puso mo at yung pagmamahal sa kapwa, magagampanan mo ang dapat mong gawin."
This is the statement from Alexander Tumapang when asked about his volunteer duty in the reserve force of the Philippine Army.
1st Lt. Alexander Tumapang is an Army Reservist serving as the Headquarters Company Commander in the 1401st Benguet Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion.
In his decades of service, he is among the reservists who respond to the call of duty during calamities.
In the recent Tropical Storm "Maring" that beset the country, he and other reservists braved the landslide area in Barangay Dominican-Mirador, Baguio City, to retrieve two missing children despite the harsh environment due to bad weather.
1st Lt. Tumapang and his team saved dozens of affected residents and helped hundreds more recover after the storm.
Grounded in the principles of volunteerism, 1st Lt. Tumapang believes that commitment, participation, and love of country motivate reservists to perform their role and accomplish their mission as part of the Reserve Force of the Philippine Army.
Source: Philippine Army
