FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - The Philippine Army marks the month-long celebration of its 123rd Founding Anniversary during a football friendship match between the Army Football Team and Philippine Azkals Development Team today, March 5, 2020 at Army Support Command Foot Ball Field.
The activity is one of Army’s anniversary highlights anchored on the theme, “123 Year of Gallantry and Dedication in Serving the People and Securing the Land.” The game particularly aims to promote pride among Filipinos, both the military and the sports sector, with its motif, “One Game for Solidarity, One Game for Country.”
Philippine Azkals Team Manager Mr. Dan Palami thanked the Army as he recalled how the team Army responded to the call of helping building the team Azkals in 2010. “I would like to thank the Philippine Army for its contribution not just to the Philippine sports in general, but particularly to the Azkals and more importantly to our nation,” shared Palami. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Philippine Army for inviting our team to this event as a kick-off to your 123rd anniversary. We hope we could do this [not just] in ASCOM, in Manila but all over the country so that we could encourage more kids, more people [and] to showcase the friendship,” he added.
Other activities such as the Dagohoy Challenge; Sniper Squad Challenge; Army-Media Challenge; Basketball Game with Celebrities; Information Caravan; ROTC Silent Drill Competition and Capability Demo; Anniversary Mass and Wreath-Laying Ceremony; Tejeros Convention; Simultaneous Flag Raising and Reaffirmation of Oath and Allegiance; Army Museum Open House; Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony; Tactical Expo; and Senior Leaders Conference will be conducted throughout the month.
The Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay also expressed his gratitude to team Azkals and mentioned the important values shared by soldiers and athletes in terms of discipline, hard-work, and team work in achieving its goals. “Your Philippine Army is now on its 123rd year of gallant and dedicated service to the Filipino people. We will continue to walk the path of greatness and strive for excellent service in order to be a world class Army that is a source of national pride,” said Gapay.#