Matteo Guidicelli says ranger course is most difficult part of reservist training: ‘Talagang nawasak ako doon’

Matteo Guidicelli embarked on his journey as a Philippine Army reservist in 2019, where he had to take on different training programs, including the ranger course, which he admittedly said was the most difficult for him.

In a media interview on Wednesday for his documentary “Philippine Defenders,” Matteo shared insights into the demanding world of military training, particularly highlighting the significant difficulty of the course.

“‘Yung talagang mahirap talaga [ay] ‘yung ranger training. ‘Yun talaga masasabi ko. Talagang nawasak ako doon,” he said.

The intensity, according to Matteo, stems from the military training’s objective to “really strip away your ego.”

“Kapag masobrahan tayo sa paniniwala or mga ego natin, you know, we get jaded and then we get blind, we build so many walls around us. So that is what the Army did to me in 2019. Talagang winasak lahat ng mga pader sa paligid ko at pantay-pantay kami lahat,” he said.

Matteo explained that the ranger course is not regular reservist training but regular active duty training.

“‘Yung reservist kasi, we encourage all our citizens to join the reserve command. The reserve command kasi, as a reservist, you are a volunteer to serve your country. So the reserve command respects you as a professional if you're a writer, if you're a journalist, etcetera. [They] know you're working, so weekends ka lang pupunta sa training. More flexible. Pero kapag active duty training ka, which I did sa ranger, talagang lock-in ka doon at mahirap talaga,” he said.

Matteo recalled that he felt like quitting just three days into the training.

“Talagang araw-araw umiiyak ako for two weeks straight. Talagang gusto ko nang umuwi. Ayoko na. Talagang lahat ng makakita ako, naiiyak ako, lahat. Talagang I was really ripped apart,” he said.

He would ask his classmates, “Bakit hindi kayo umiiyak? Bakit ako lang?” And they would respond, “Ay Matt, dumaan na kami diyan.”

Matteo pushed through and looked back at his reason for joining.

“I reminded myself, ‘Hey you're here for a reason. You have an objective. You're gonna accomplish this. This will make you a better person,’” he said.

“That's how important our forces is to develop that discipline, love for country, passion to do whatever it takes to uphold that beautiful Philippine flag."

Matteo’s documentary, “Philippine Defenders,” will feature several facets of the Filipino military and their mission.

While filming, Matteo had the chance to visit the West Philippine Sea, highlighting the escalating tensions in the area.

“Philippine Defenders” is a special documentary presented by GMA Public Affairs that aims to salute the true heroes of the nation: the soldiers who are ready to risk their lives for freedom.

It will air on GMA Network this Saturday, May 17, at 3:15 p.m.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News