The calling to serve cannot be truer with this line-up of celebrities who have joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as reservists to inspire more civilians to serve the country in times of need.
As military reservists, private citizens, including actors, have to undergo military training for 30 days, consisting of marksmanship training, obstacle courses, field training exercises, and so much more before they are called for active duty when the country comes into crisis.
Get to know more about the celebrities who have heeded their call for service for their fellow Filipinos in this gallery:
According to Geneva, going through the training made her understand a soldier's life a little better. "I have always been fascinated by the mystique and allure of a soldier's charmed life."
Jon Vic De Guzman said it was very challenging to juggle National Volleyball Team training and Philippine Air Force Reservist Military camp training at the same time. "But I must say its all worth it bec. not everyone is given the opportunity to represent and serve their country."
Geneva Cruz is now a proud member of the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command.
Rocco Nacino is a Petty Officer Third Class of the Philippine Navy Reserve Command. He completed his Basic Citizen Military Training in October 2019.
Rocco Nacino spent his 33rd birthday by joining other military's initiative in delivering goods to other uniformed personnel who are on duty to implement the enhanced community quarantine.
Nearly after two months, he participated in Philippine Navy's humanitarian efforts anew and this time, he was joined by her girlfriend, Melissa Gohing. They took part in the naval warfare service's feeding activity for the benefit of quarantined marine soldiers.
Matteo Guidicelli is a Second Lieutenant of the Philippine Army.
Matteo Guidicelli connected both of his networks in showbiz and in the military via his initiative with Kean Cipriano, One Voice Pilipinas. It is a collaboration among artists, a superstore, and the Philippine Army to raise funds for families adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Ronnie Liang also holds the rank of a Second Lieutenant of the Philippine Army reservist.
Ronnie Liang helped in transporting stranded commuters and medical personnel in Metro Manila and in delivering goods to those in need amid the community quarantine. The actor-singer also cooked meals, good for at least 3,000 individuals, via AFP mobile kitchen.
Dingdong Dantes is a Lieutenant Commander of the Philippine Navy. The Kapuso actor, who is a Marine reservist since 2009, earned his promotion on January 27, 2020.
Dingdong Dantes in action - retain photo and combine with attached photo (dongdantes/IG)
With the help of the Philippine Navy and his Yes Pinoy Foundation, Dingdong Dantes has been extending help through the Andrew's Fund PH. Their group has delivered food and other donations to marginalized families and frontliners as well as provided education and employment opportunities for the youth. The Kapuso Primetime King also handed out food packs prepared by his wife Marian Rivera, PPEs, and other goods to his fellow reservists who are stationed in checkpoints in Pasay City.
Gerald Anderson is part of the Philippine army as a reservist. He earned the rank of private in 2019. He has also been an auxiliary officer of the Philippine Coast Guard with the rank of lieutenant since 2016.
Gerald Anderson has been delivering supplies for the uniformed men serving at the front line against COVID-19. He is also working closely with the Philippine Coast Guard in building an Emergency Quarantine Facility of a hospital and quarantine tents for front liners in-charge of attending to almost 30,000 OFWs and seafarers.
Vilma Santos holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel for the Philippine Air Force.
Vilma is now working in congress.
Beauty Gonzalez has undergone training with the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) as a reservist.
Beauty admitted in an Instagram post why she signed up as a reservist. She said, "Not for a show but to serve, in any possible way I can when called upon."
'StarStruck' graduate Arci Muñoz said that she's undergoing basic citizen military training at Philippine Air Force.
Arci's training started on June 12, 2020, Independence Day. She completed the Basic Citizen Military Training on October 25, 2020 and is now a sergeant of the Philippine Air Force Reserve (PAFR) Command.
Kapuso star and 2017 Reina Hispanoamericana Winwyn Marquez shared that she enlisted as a reservist in the Philippine Navy.
Winwyn said in an Instagram post that Rocco Nacino helped her reach this decision.
"Thank you @nacinorocco for opening my eyes to this"
Actor Baron Geisler recently signed up to become a military reservist under the Philippine Navy on October 12, 2020. He was photographed at the 511th Naval Squadron Reserve based in Cebu City.
In an Instagram post, Baron said his plan to become a reservist is his life's purpose. “My life is purposed to serve You [God] and the people I meet on this journey,” he said.
Did you know that actor Christopher de Leon is also a military reservist? The 63-year-old actor is a reservist for the Philippine Navy with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
On his 61st birthday, Christopher opted to put on his soldier gear to honor the gallant navy and marine officers who fought the war in Marawi City.
Actor JM de Guzman signed up to be a reservist under the Philippine Air Force in March 2020.
JM has started their training since signing up as a reservist. He has already learned to do courtesy drills and marksmanship training under the guidance of the Air Force. JM also participated in distributing relief goods during his training when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines.
Joining JM is actor Kiko Estrada who also signed up to become a reservist under the Philippine Air Force.
According to Kiko and JM, joining the military is only the first step to their call of service for their fellow Filipinos.
Kapuso actress Coleen Perez is a sergeant of the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command. She earned her title on November 8, 2020.
On an Instagram post, Coleen revealed that she was voted as flight leader then president of her batch. She confessed, “It is not an easy job because being a leader means you have to be strong so you can lead and look out that everybody is okay.”
Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez is a part of the Philippine Navy Reserve Unit.
The 26-year-old Cebuana beauty underwent the Basic Citizens Military Course training in Eastern Visayas and has been a part of the Philippine Navy Reserve Unit.
Actor Enzo Pineda is one of the latest celebrities to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as a marine reservist.
PO2 Tiuseco reporting for duty! Actor JC Tiuseco is now a Navy reservist of the Philippine Navy.
Actress and former CEO of ABS-CBN Corporation, Charo Santos-Concio has also completed her PAF training. She wrote on Instagram, "It's never too late to start something new, to challenge yourself, and to keep on growing. Today marks my graduation from the PAF Reservist training--a journey that was as rewarding as it was challenging. There were moments when I doubted myself, wondering if I could meet the demands, but I embraced every challenge, pushed forward, and found joy in each step of the process."
Charo Santos-Concio also encouraged everyone to pursue their dreams no matter where you are in life. "Through this experience, I have discovered a deeper sense of purpose and a renewed love for our country. Spending these past few weeks alongside my fellow reservists has been an honor, and I hope my story encourages you to pursue your passions, face your fears, and keep moving forward. No matter where you are in life, know that growth is always possible."
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Carlos Yulo is now a Philippine Navy Reserve Force. He is joined by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Cynthia Carrion President Cynthia Carrion and Commander of the Naval Reserve Command, MGen. Ferrous Cuison PN(M)during his oath-taking ceremony at the Navy Headquarters.
This Olympic two-time gold medalist is now PO1 Carlos Edriel Yulo PN (Res.)