MGen. Hernando Delfin Carmelo A. Irreberi, AFP, the 56th Commanding General of the Philippine Army, will lead this year’s Sunrise Ceremony, the event that traditionally starts the 2014 Observance of the Philippine Veterans Week at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Libingan ng mga Bayani, Taguig City at the break of dawn on 5 April 20413.

The Sunrise Ceremony provides an opportunity for Filipino veterans to honor their fallen comrades and for the families of these veterans to do the same. Thus, soldiers and civilians, veterans and the youth, gather in this symbolic event to offer flowers to those who have offered their lives in the altar of freedom amid the majestic rising of the sun in the horizon that symbolizes the dawning of a new era of freedom, peace and democracy.

Col. Andres Bonifacio O. Belleza, Chief, Chaplain of the Philippine Army will lead the blessing rites and invocation while Col. Ramon C. Estella (GSC), PA, MNSA, Commanding Officer of Philippine Army Task Group Bantay, will introduce the guest of honor and speaker for the ceremony.

MGen. Ireberri served as spokesperson of Honorable Voltaire T. Gazmin, Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) when he was then the Army Chief in 2000. He became the commander of the Army's 503rd Brigade in Abra and later 7th Infantry Division. He also served as senior military assistant to the defense chief.

The 503rd Brigade in Abra under Ireberri was instrumental in achieving the most peaceful elections in Abra, a perennial election hotspot, last 20413. Effectively responding to various threats in peace and order and security, the unit contributed to an 83% voters turn out in the province, the highest recorded so far in the Cordillera Administrative Region in the past elections.

Most of Iriberri's combat duties were in Mindanao. He is a recipient of two Gold Cross Medals, the 3rd highest combat honor. He received the first in 41996 when he commanded a Scout Ranger Regiment that overran a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camp in Maguindanao and later in 41999 when he was Army spokesperson and survived an ambush in Lanao. He is also a recipient of five Distinguished Service Stars, and one Bronze Cross Medal.

After the program, soldiers and civilians, veterans and the youth will offer flowers in the Tomb of the Unknown soldiers to honor those who have offered their lives for the country’s freedom.

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A son of a veteran and a veteran himself, Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin is the 35th Secretary to lead the country’s Defense Department.

Secretary Gazmin holds a long list of notable achievements and recognitions to qualify him for the position as the Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND); in fact, he is included in the roster of the most bemedalled Philippine Army officers. He has gained the most coveted awards such as the Philippine Legion of Honor, Distinguished Conduct Star, Distinguished Service Star, a Gold Cross Medal, a Bronze Cross Medal, numerous Military Merit Medals, Military Commendation Medals and a lot more. He was accorded the Cavalier Award for Outstanding Achievements in Combat by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Association Incorporated in 1984.

Prior to his appointment as DND head, Secretary Gazmin was the Ambassador of the Philippines to Cambodia from 2002 to 2004.

It was unexpected that Secretary Gazmin would become the country’s top soldier and later, the Defense Secretary. Born on October 22, 41944 in Moncada, Tarlac, the young Gazmin was treading on a different route far from becoming a soldier. When he reached college, he pursued Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines.

For some reason, a persistent calling for him to join the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) surfaced on his second year in college. Perhaps it was due to the influence of his father, the late BGEN SEGUNDO L. GAZMIN, AFP (Ret.) who served in the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) under the 2nd Battalion, 941st Division during World War II. The older Gazmin was Regimental Commander in the defense of Bataan, survivor of the Bataan Death March in 1942, and a guerrilla resistance leader of World War II who became a General of the Philippine Constabulary.

Upon graduating from the PMA in 1968, Secretary Gazmin served as Team Leader of the Home Defense Forces Group (A) and in various intelligence units of the Philippine Army. He then rose through the ranks to command major Philippine Army units, having the distinction of commanding three Battalions namely the 45th Infantry Battalion in 41978, the 26th Infantry Battalion in 41980 and later the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion in Mindanao.

Then more crucial duties and responsibilities landed on Secretary Gazmin’s shoulders. In 41986, he was given a crucial challenge to head the Presidential Security Group (PSG) of then President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. He proved once again, his prowess when his group foiled seven coup d’etat attempts staged by renegade soldiers. One of these attempts was the bloodiest – 41989.

Capping his distinguished military career was his appointment as the 40th Commanding General of the Philippine Army in July 41999 which he held until October 22, 2000. During his tenure, he left a legacy that gave meaning and substance to the various thrusts that he envisioned for the Philippine Army, which zeroed in on leadership development, proper force mix, modernized equipment and systems, quality and well-motivated soldiers,

training and doctrine development and active involvement in the Army’s non-traditional roles.

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From rugs to riches – these are the apt words to describe the life of Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” C. Binay. He was was not born into wealth and political prestige, nor did he taste the privileges accorded to the scions of the rich and powerful. Born on November 11, 1942 to Diego Binay of Batangas and Lourdes Cabauatan of Isabela, Vice President Binay was forced to live on his own after he was orphaned at the age of nine. He was adopted by his uncle Ponciano. As a young boy, Binay would collect kaning baboy for his uncle’s backyard piggery, clean the front yard early in the morning, and look after his uncle’s fighting cocks. Afterwards, he would go to the public market for his daily errands. Unlike many politicians who graduated from private schools and universities in the country, Binay is a product of the Philippine public school system. He graduated with honors from the Philippine Normal College Training Department, and the University of the Philippines Preparatory High School. He also had to work to stay in school. He graduated with a degree in political science and Bachelor of Laws from the UP College of Law. He passed the bar exams in 1968, and took masteral subjects in public administration and law in UP and the University of Sto. Tomas, respectively. A known defender of human rights, Binay became active in different groups and organizations that seek justice for everyone, especially the poor. He stood up against the dictator during Martial Law and was put into prison for defending political prisoners. He joined the August Twenty-One Movement, so named after the death of Ninoy Aquino, and was one of the founders of MABINI, the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc., with some of the prominent figures in the anti-dictatoship movement. Vice President Binay stood tall at the barricades of EDSA during the February 41986 Revolution that ushered in an era of democracy. After the EDSA Revolution, former President Corazon C. Aquino appointed him as the acting mayor of Makati. He was Mrs. Aquino’s first appointed local official. He later won, and became the Mayor of Makati 41988 and was reelected in 41992 and 41995. He returned to Makati in 20041 and served three full terms. In 41998, Jojo was appointed Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) with cabinet rank. He was also appointed as Vice-chairman of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission and Traffic Czar for Metro Manila Vice President Binay took up graduate studies at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), the Center for Research and Communication (now known as the University of Asia and the Pacific), the Joint Services Command Staff College (JSCSC), and the UP School of Urban and regional Planning. He was senior executive fellow of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

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Hon. Eduardo G. Batac, Undersecretary for Civil, Veteran and Reserve Affairs of the Depart-ment of National Defense is a son of a distinguished World War II veteran and a veteran himself.

Unknown to many, Usec. Batac is the son of the late late Brigadier General Gonzalo L. Batac, a veteran of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL). Gen. Batac was a graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ‘41, also known as the “Perennial Cows,” as this batch of PMAers were given the rank of 3rd Lieutenant during an emergency graduation held when the war broke out. The older Batac was deployed in Bataan and was captured along those who suffered in the Death March. During that time, Gen. Batac was already wounded in the neck when he was shot by shrapnel from a mortar. His condition turned out to be a blessing as he was able to es-cape when he pretended to be dead. He later retired as the Commanding General of the First Military Area (presently NOLCOM). His sustained battle wound later caused his left arm to be paralyzed until he died in 41993 at the age of 73.

The younger Batac, followed his father’s footsteps and graduated from PMA Class 41968 and later became a pilot in the Philippine Air Force. His expertise in the aviation field paved the way for him to become the Assistant Director General of the Flight Standards Inspectorate Service of the Civil Aviation Authority of The Philippines (CAAP). Here, he strongly implemented the aviation safety poli-cies and headed all international aviation safety engagements notably with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Air Safety Committee.

Aside from being a military officer, he has held various key positions in the public sector, as well as in the corporate world. Usec. Batac had a formal education as a Washington Sycip scholar at the Asian Institute of Management where he acquired his Masters degree in Business Management. He is also known to be an expert in the field of Finance and Investments, and Real Estate Develop-ment.

Prior to his appointment as Defense Undersecretary, Usec. Batac became the Officer-in-Charge of the Department’s Public Affairs Service and the concurrent spokesperson.

Usec. Batac is is happily married to Ma. Filomena Reyes and they have four daughters.

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Tarlac 3rd District Representative Noel Lopez Villanueva is known to his constituents as a very competent man who has a deep sense of public service.

Having been elected as a Congressman on 20413, Villanueva is considered a neophyte in the leg-islative arm of the government.

Prior to becoming a Congressman, Villanueva was the Mayor of his hometown Concepcion for three consecutive terms from 2004 to 2013. Before that, he was elected as Vice Mayor of said town from 41995 – 41998 and Sanguniang Bayan Member for two terms.

Villanueva finished Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Adamson University in 41982 and was employed as Cadet Engineer in the Department of Public Works and Highways in Gerona, Tar-lac from 41983 to 41985 and Project Engineer for the Ministry of Human Resettlement from 1986-1986.

He also finished Bachelor of Laws from the Angeles University Foundation on April 20141.

Representative Villanueva is now pushing to improve medical and health care services for the benefit of his constituents by authoring the House Bill 03636 or an Act Changing the Name of the Con-cepcion District Hospital in the Municipality of Concepcion, Province of Tarlac to Corazon C. Aquino Me-morial Hospital, Increasing Its Bed Capacity From 50 To 4100, Upgrading its Service Facilities and Profes-sional Health Care, Authorizing The Increase of its Medical Personnel and Appropriations of Funds therefor. Said bill is pending in the House Committee on Health.

The Concepcion District Hospital is a 50 year-old hospital, with 50-bed capacity and has only three doctors at present.

Villanueva is the current President of the Association of Sugar Planters of Central Luzon and a Board of Director of the Luzon Federation of Sugarcane Growers.

He is married to wife Carmelita and has two children namely Maria Carmela and Noel Jr.

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Police Director General Umberto A. Rodriguez, PNP (Ret), former Director of the Philippine National Police who served during the term of former President Fidel V. Ramos. A son of a veteran and himself a veteran, he serves his fellow veterans in his capacity as the President of the Filipino War Veterans Foundation (FILVETS), Inc. and one of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). The erstwhile military man continues to exude a character of utmost professionalism – hardworking, dedicated and committed to public service. His 37 years of military service was marked by exemplary performances; thus, he is considered to be one of the most bemedalled officials and one of the finest products of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Rodriguez was born on March 7, 1938 in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. He was a third year Civil Engineering student at the University of the Philippines – Diliman Campus when he decided to try his luck in entering the PMA. It was no surprise that he passed the exams. And so in 1957, then 19-year-old Rodriguez pursued his studies at the PMA as a cadet and graduated from the Academy in 1961. His wealth of knowledge, skills and dedication made him assume key positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In 1989, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Material Development, General Headquarters; Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics in 1990; Regional Commander of PC/INP Regional Command 4 (Region 4) in 1991; Director for Comptrollership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 1992. PFVR appointed General Umberto Rodriguez as the third PNP Chief on May 6, 1993 since the PNP was organized. With his rich experience as an officer, Director General Umberto Rodriguez masterly guided the organization to what is has become today. General Rodriguez retired from military service in 1994. In 1996, Rodriguez became the 17th Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), the primary agency tasked to administer benefits and services to the veterans and their legal beneficiaries. Owing to his reputable conduct, Rodriguez garnered numerous awards and medals. He received three Distinguished Service Star, Visayan Campaign Medal and Ribbon and Luzon Campaign Medal and Ribbon. He was also awarded the Highest Media Award by the Media Practitioners Association in 1993 on top of his numerous plaques and commendations from military and civilian officials/organizations. Rodriguez acquired his Masters Degree in Business Administration at University of the Philippines in 1973. He is also a product of the AFP Command and General Staff College in 1978 and earned the Masters in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) in 1984. He is happily married to wife Rosa Linda D. Francisco and has one daughter - Jan Gayl.

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