This 2025, GMA Public Affairs spotlights the courage of Filipinos who risk their lives in the name of duty, honor, and country in the compelling documentary PHILIPPINE DEFENDERS, premiering on May 17 at 3:15 PM on GMA-7.
Led by 2LT Matteo Guidicelli (reservist), the special documentary explores the untold stories of the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers through his firsthand experiences and gripping encounters.
Join Matteo as he boards a military aircraft for a high-risk aerial patrol mission with the AFP, surveying the presence of Chinese vessels within Philippine territory.
Matteo's group also joins the AFP's Rotation and Resupply Mission (RORE) -- the critical operation that delivers food and supplies to Filipino soldiers stationed on disputed islands.
From sea to land -- the documentary gives viewers an inside look at the Presidential Security Command (PSC), the elite unit tasked with protecting the President of the Philippines.
At Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, home of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), Matteo undergoes intense military training, including a challenging live parachute jump from an aircraft.
Through his journey, Matteo meets soldiers who survived the harrowing Marawi Siege -- warriors who lost limbs in battle, yet found the strength to rise again and continue serving the country with honor.
From land to sea to sky, PHILIPPINE DEFENDERS is a powerful story of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism -- a reminder of the valor of the men and women who safeguard the nation's freedom with unwavering resolve.
Don't miss PHILIPPINE DEFENDERS this May 17, 3:15 PM on GMA 7.
For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.
Meanwhile, get to know more about Matteo Guidicelli in this gallery and why he deserves to be named 'Jack of All Trades.'
Matteo Guidicelli joined showbiz in 2006 and has since starred in various TV shows and movies which includes 2013 suspense film, 'Saturday Night Chills', which gave him his first Best Actor award alongside Rayver Cruz and Joseph Marco. And did you know that Matteo did a cameo in Kapuso drama 'All My Life' during the early years of his acting career?
Matteo has honed his hosting skills through the variety and reality shows he was in. In fact, he starred as a co-host and performer in GMA weekly noontime show 'SOP Fully Recharged' from 2009 to 2010. Fast forward to 2022, he is set to return to GMA as a guest host in 'Unang Hirit.'
Besides acting and hosting, Matteo is also a recording artist. He has released two studio albums, one of which earned a gold certification from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry. Right now, Matteo still sings for fun and his favorite collaborator? It's no less than his wife, Sarah Geronimo. Just check out their song covers on his YouTube channel and be ready to fall in love with their beautiful voices.
Even before Matteo became a stage performer, he was known for being a kart racer. He began kart racing at an early age of 11 and has since earned different titles including three-time Karter of the Year awardee. Eventually, Matteo decided to stop his racing career to grant his mother's request after he figured in an accident.
After his racing career, there's no stopping Matteo from getting his hands full as he engaged himself in a new sport--triathlon. The natural-born thrill-seeker has spent countless hours training to showcase his strength and agility in competing in several Ironman events. While he did not consider himself as a professional triathlete, Matteo said he's doing it for the love of the sport which he turned into a lifestyle.
To become a reservist for the Armed Forces of the Philippines is "the best experience" Matteo has encountered in his whole life. He became a full-fledged reservist after finishing his Scout Ranger orientation course of the Philippine Army where he took one-month rigorous training to test his physical and mental abilities to prepare him to lead. Matteo graduated from the course with flying colors after he was awarded the Military Commendation Medal and was recognized as an outstanding student. He also took a basic airborne course with the Philippine Army Special Forces.
Even during his free time, Matteo loves to be on the grind, lifting weights, hiking, horseback riding, trail riding, and among others. Seriously, is there anything Matteo cannot do?
Apart from enjoying himself outdoors, Matteo also finds joy inside the kitchen. A part-Italian himself, Matteo and his family own three restaurants located in Cebu, Alabang, and inside a membership shopping store in BGC, serving authentic Italian cuisine.
While Matteo is brawny on the outside, he has a soft side, too! Among the many hats he wears, being a loving husband to Sarah is probably his favorite. After being the subject of controversy before, Matteo and Sarah are now living their best lives and are grateful to be spending their many firsts as a married couple.
Now that he's married, Matteo is focused on his long-term goals. He revealed in an episode of 'Farm To Table' that he plans to invest in a farm for his future family. He and Sarah are also building their first studio business for content creators, advertisers, celebrities, and anyone who wants to use the space.