ENSURING MENTAL TOUGHNESS AND PHYSICAL PROFICIENCY IN 53IB

The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) bestowed the Physical Fitness Proficiency Awards to the deserving Officer and Enlisted Personnel during the Flag Raising Ceremony on May 31, 2021, at 53IB Headquarters, Camp Maj. David Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

For obtaining 90% PFT Rating and above, 12 Matapat Troopers received the award including: 2Lt. John Peter Paul Gaquing, Sgt. Ronald Dacillo, TSg. Redenecer Binaoro, TSg. Alexander Arong, SSg. Adenio Lumpinas, Pfc. Reymund Jumawan, Pfc. Gerald Jay Javier, TSg. Ferdinand Tumapang, Pfc. Ermel Pacolba, Cpl. Dennis Manait, Cpl. Ernesto Torres, and Pfc. Joven Batucan.

“I am thankful that I have been given this kind of award and it is my first time to receive this. I am happy that we have been recognized.

PFT is like our uniform that is already built in as long as we are in the service. We always do this in times of promotions and operations.

The Scout Platoon might not have the chance to practice because we keep on walking in different areas that we are assigned in but we still manage to keep our body physically equipped so that we can obtain a 90% PFT rating. Just practice and be physically disciplined.

We use our surroundings to do pull-ups to keep our upper body stronger. Then before we sleep, we do push-ups and sit-ups,” 2Lt. John Peter Paul Gaquing said.

“I am very thankful for this award. I will share this to other Matapat Troopers for them to be inspired by what I have achieved. Thank you, Sir, for challenging us. Even at the age of 46, I could still prove that I can achieve a higher PFT rate,” TSg. Redenecer Binaoro said.

“ I am very happy and honored to receive this award. I always believe in the saying, ‘Preparations build Confidence, Confidence overcome fears.’ If you want something, you must do whatever it takes to achieve that certain goal,” TSgs Ferdinand Tumapang said.

“To all awardees, I am the one who should be thanking all of you for heeding the call and religiously following the Commander’s guidance. This is the Army standard. PFT is for keeping our minds and bodies’ well-being.

We are warfighters and frontliners in fighting COVID so we must be physically and mentally fit all the time. Age doesn’t matter, we must keep on practicing mental and physical activities,” 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said.

This activity is part of the 53IB’s drive to pursue transformation to become a world class Army that is a source of national pride by 2028 in line with the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR).