In the Navy

We were in Harrison Plaza in Manila yesterday afternoon when we spotted a Philippine Navy band preparing their instruments on a makeshift stage. We learned that the Philippine Navy shall be celebrating its Founding Anniversary on May 20, 2008. As part of its pre-celebration, they are conducting mall tours to showcase their mission and accomplishments through film showing and pictures display. They are also encouraging young men and women aged 18 to 24 to join the navy.

The Naval Base Cavite (NBC) band and the Philippine Marines combo entertained the shoppers and mall patrons by playing their respective repertoires for free. The band received runs of applause for its good performance; while the combo stirred the crowd by playing the latest hits.

When I was a kid, it was my dream to be in the navy. My uncle was a sailor in the Philippine Navy; and I have three cousins who also joined the navy. Though I did not become a navy, I had some naval training - being an officer in Naval ROTC.