DIPOLOG
CITY - Who would think that an ordinary man from a very simple
family would become surprisingly extraordinary and an inspiration to the many?
He is
the complete epitome of a person who believes in the saying, “it pays to work
hard.”He got his guiding principle in life from Cicero, a Roman philosopher,
who said: “The
man who commands efficiently must have obeyed others in the past, and the man
who obeys dutifully is worthy of being someday a commander.”
Onay Museum
An
impressive and incredible masterpiece and collection of General Alexander
Badong Yano’s journey in life was built and completed in 2009 in Sicayab,
Dipolog City, featuring his humble beginnings and his achievements being a man
of consequence.
Although
it is open to the public, one has to seek prior permission from the General or
his caretaker before he could explore inside the gallery.
A
big portrait showing the life and works of the General would welcome you as you
enter the museum. You would be tempted to pose for a picture with this portrait
depicting his childhood to adolescence and to his years in the Philippine
Military Academy (PMA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Definitely,
you wouldn’t want to miss taking a pose with all the awards and other souvenir
items General Yano has had inside the museum.
Among
his collections are his memorabilia, uniforms, trophies, medals and plaques of
appreciation and recognition for his courage and bravery, photos, news
clippings about his great works and legacy, and other items gathered in the
course of his military and diplomatic careers.
“You
will find collection of items from my boyhood days in Sindangan and Dipolog,
college days in Cebu, cadetship in PMA, my military career spanning 37years and
my ambassadorial tour in Brunei Darussalam,”General Yano said in an interview
with this writer.
But
there was one thing that would get your attention from an array of things
displayed in the museum. This is a letter written by him as a Grade I pupil on July 4, 1960 addressed to his
grandmother and uncle to send him money for his uniform and clothing.
“This
will serve as an inspiration to local residents and young people showing my
humble beginnings that they too can succeed through hardwork, sacrifice and dedication,”
the General further said.
Boyhood
Alexander
Yano was the eldest in a brood of five and raised by parents, IñigoYano and
Gloria Badong, both public school teachers. He came from the municipality of Sindangan,
Zamboanga del Norte.
He married Estela Aragon from La Union, now a retired military nurse, with whom
he has a son named Ervin Andrew, also a nurse by profession.
He
graduated salutatorian during his elementary education in a public school of
said town in 1965. He went to Dipolog to pursue his secondary education at
Saint Vincent’s College and graduated with honors in 1969.
As
described by Ms.
Josefina M. Alforque, one of his grade schoolteachers, “Alex was
everything a Grade 1 teacher would have wanted of a pupil: obedient, polite,
friendly, and well-behaved. One could tell even then that he’d grow up to be a
man of fine character. He excelled in almost all subjects more particularly in arithmetic,
reading and writing.”
Entering PMA
“I
was a student activist during my college days in Cebu in 1969-1972. I was then
a third year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering student and was not an
ideal student. I was an irregular student due to activism. I thought, I
wouldn’t have finished engineering in five years,” Gen. Yano revealed in an
interview.
“When
Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets visited Cebu, I was impressed by their
discipline and performance during drills. I took the exam and passed in 1972. I
wanted to pursue my ideals in a more positive and productive way as a cadet and
eventually as a professional soldier,” he added.
Furthermore,
he said that because of the scholarship in the academy and being the eldest in
the family with siblings starting college in Cebu and financial constraints, I
decided to pursue a military career.
As
a PMA cadet, he excelled in athletics and extra-curricular activities. He even
set two PMA athletic records, in high jump and 400-meter low hurdles.His hurdles record set in 1975 still remains unbroken up to
this date.
He
later on completed and topped in all his military trainings in the Philippines
and abroad. He also finished the Infantry Officers Advance Course in the US Army Infantry
School, Fort Benning,Georgia,
USA
and landed in the Commandant’s List as an honor graduate.
Service beyond the call of
duty
General Alexander
B. Yanogot the highest position in the AFP
hierarchy as the 38th AFP Chief of Staff, succeeding GeneralHermogenes C.
Esperon Jr.
He
is undoubtedly, the great pride of Zamboanga del
Norte, being the first four-starmilitary General not only from the province but
the whole of Mindanao, as well.
“I
was the 49th Commanding General of the
Philippine Army, 38thAFP Chief of Staff, the first and only Mindanaon
to become Chief of Staff and four-starGeneral,” he said.
As a young Army officer, he had been
assigned in Northern and Central Luzon and the provinces of Samar in the 70s
and 80s at the height of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army
(CPP-NPA) rebellion.
He
became Task Force Zamboanga chief and overall ground tactical commander during
the 2001 Cabatangan crisis that led to the release of over a hundred civilian
hostages from over 300 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) breakaway group
elements. This accomplishment gained him a name as the “Liberator of
Cabatangan” from the late Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat.
“I
was dealing with the CPP and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) threats, terrorism
and kidnapping in Mindanao, consolidation of the force and preventing military
adventurism,” Yano said when asked about the challenges he was faced with while
active in military service.
He
became an adopted son of General Santos City, when no single terrorist bombing
occurred during the height of terrorism in the said city while serving as the
brigade commanderin the area. He also gained similar
recognition as adopted son of both Zamboanga and Dipolog cities.
He
was also the first in PMA batch 1976 tobecome a Brigadier General in 2003 when he received
his “first star.” In 2005, he earned his “second star”as Major General.
Facing new challenges
He
had his early retirement on May 1, 2009 and he was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Victor
Ibrado, his PMA classmate.
Right
after his retirement from the military service, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyoappointed
him as Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam.
Right
now, he is living as an ordinary citizen but he continues serving the Filipino
people in his own little way thru various civic
organizations and advocacies.
He had published two (2) books entitled,“Onay: A Personal Journey”
and “The Man Who Dared to Dream”.
“I
want to share my thoughts, experiences and
personal story so that people may gain lessons and inspiration from them - that
a local boy who,thru sheer perseverance,
hardwork, sacrifice and merit, could reach the highest post in the AFP and
fulfill his dreams” Gen. Yano stressed.
“Strive
hard through your own merit, talents, hardwork and sacrifice. Endeavor for excellence
in everything you do,” his answer when asked for his formula of success. “Be a role model to others and set the correct example”, he
added.
Truly,
he is a man with competent leadership, dedication to duty, and high level of
professionalism, bringing prestige, honor and inspiration to Filipinos
especially the youth. (PIA9)