by Gideon C. Corgue
Mixed feeling of joy and excitement was felt by Kelvin Jasper S. Go for graduating as topnotcher in the Candidate Soldier Course class ‘Kalasag’ 266-2011 on Monday at the Tabak Division Grand Stand, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Kelvin Jasper, 19 years old, and second of the 5 siblings of T/Sgt. and Mrs. Hereberto Go of Labangan was deeply proud and grateful for graduating the 5-month long and painstaking course in the Philippine Army.
Interviewed by the Tabak Defense Press Corps, Go fully clad in a battle dress attire, said he was very grateful to God for giving him strength and wisdom in completing the course.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Panginoon na binigyan niya ako ng sapat na lakas at kaalaman upang matapos ko ang kurso na ito ( I thanked God for giving me enough strength and wisdom to finish the course),” Go said.
Go emerged as topnotcher in the class by obtaining a general average (GA) of 91.69% and topped in the physical fitness with a GA of 91. 77% where he received certificates of merit from no less than the 1st Infantry Tabak Dvision commander MajGen. Noel Coballes.
Candidate Soldiers Joemar S, Montero who garnered GA of 90.34% and Darrel A. Geonego, with a GA of 90.33% were awarded second and third, respectively.
“Ang sarap maglingkod sa bayan at ang sarap paglingkuran ang kapwa mo ng buong puso (It’s a great feeling of serving your country and your fellowmen wholeheartedly),” Go proudly said with his sweat shed on his face and his eyes and cheeks smiling.
Asked on what was his secret formula to his success, Go said grit, determination and perseverance and coupled with prayer are his secret formula in excelling the class.
“Magkakaroon ka ng direksyon sa iyong buhay , maging positibo na makamit ang iyong pangarap at sabayan ng isang taimtim na panalangin sa Poong Maykapal (You must have a direction in your life and be optimistic to achieve your goal and coupled with sincere prayers to God),” Go narrated.
“Makatulong na rin ako sa aking mga magulang at makapagpaaral sa aking mga kapatid. Ang aking pamilya ay naging inspirasyon sa aking pagkasundalo (I can now help my parents and send my younger brothers and sisters in school. They are my inspiration of becoming a soldier),”
Go’s mother Rolinda, who was carrying her youngest child and one of the hundreds of proud parents seated at the Tabak divison’ bleachers were also excited and actively participated part of the program.
Rolinda said she was very happy that his son survived the training and emerged topnotcher of the class.
“ Garbo kaayo namo nga adunay anak nga usa ka sundalo. Natuman na gyud ang damgo sukad sa iyang pagkabata nga maamahimong sundalo (We are very proud to have a son who is a soldier. He finally achieved his childhood dream of becoming a soldier),” Rolinda said.
Kelvin Japser’s father is also a soldier and now assigned at G6, 1st Infantry Tabak Division Headquarters.
Meanwhile, Tabak Division commander MajGen. Noel A. Coballes in an interview said the 100 newly graduates will not be sent to Basilan. “They will have to go to a process,” Coballes assurd.
Coballes said they will help maintain peace and order in the divisions’ area of responsibility saying that the AFP is now on heightened alert due to series of attacks in the provinces of Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay which killed more than a dozen of soldiers. (GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)
