The new song,
“Sundalong Pilipino”, which will be applied for patenting for its
intellectual right was composed by MGen. Mario Fontanilla Chan,
Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army based
in Catbalogan Samar.
The music was arranged
by Cpl AP Julaton and Cpl MG Sandigan.
“I composed the song
for just two weeks. I am even asking how to apply for its intellectual
rights”, the army commander beams with pride while he tells on how the
song was inspired by his passion for his profession. According to him,
it was his way of acknowledging the efforts of his men who are at all
times ready to serve the country and its people.
“Sundalong Pilipino”
as a song, narrates of a soldier’s coping up with the challenges in
preserving the peace in every Filipino family. “They need to be well
trained physically, mentally and intellectually. Soldiers are molded
to possess a clean/pure heart with human dignity and intense
commitment to be able to serve at all times”, says the composer.
The commander received
congratulatory remarks from the crowd. While requests for copies of
the song poured in, release of its copies are temporarily withheld as
he would like to further improve its arrangement and packaging before
it goes out for public. However, Samarnews was privileged to get a
copy of the lyrics of the song. Chan is hopeful that the song will be
played in all other army divisions in the country.
In a related story,
the 8ID invited multi-sectors in a candle lighting ceremony which was
simultaneously held in other military camps nationwide. “Ilaw Para sa
Kapayapaan” is a peace advocacy initiative by the Office of the
Presidential Assistant for Peace Process (OPAPP). It was well attended
by MATA-Samar, Alert Radio Group, Kabalikat and other Civil Society
organizations in Catbalogan. The same activity was conducted at the
Quezon Memorial headed by P’noy himself who was also celebrating his
birthday on the same date.
“The candle lighting
symbolizes our solidarity and our call for peace across the land. Let
us all pray that through our concerted efforts, we can attain peace
and progress in our country. Attaining peace isn’t just a military
role. Peace is not a defense matter. Each and every member of the
community should play his role.” was Chan’s justification for the
candle lighting.
He further stressed
that “development has long been forgotten in
Samar”. Despite
Samar’s being the 3rd largest island endowed with natural
resources and potentials for development,
Samar remains to be
one of the poorest provinces in the country.
Samarnons were advised
to refrain from partisan politics. Instead, he suggests to put in
place all development plans and programs that would alleviate poverty
and improve the lives of Samarnons. Focus has been made on the
development of road projects that would interconnect tri-boundaries in
Matuguinao, Las Navas, Maslog and Jipapad which are considered as
insurgents’ main bases.
Finally, Gen. Chan
is hopeful that peace will soon be attained. “Winning the Peace is our
theme. Peace can be attained by sitting down and talking and agreeing
among ourselves. Development cannot be achieved by continuous
fighting”, says the General as he announced the start of a formal
peace talks on February 9.
