PRESS RELEASE

 Public Information Office, Headquarters Philippine Air Force

            Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City

              Telefax (632) 853-5023 local: 6629/6529

          Email: pio@paf.mil.ph & paf_pio@yahoo.com

                             DATE: 14 JUNE 2011                                                LT COL MIGUEL ERNESTO G OKOL PAF (GSC)

                                                                                                             Director, PIO

PAF ANNIVERSARY MASS; RECOGNITION DAY SET

            As events for the PAF Day celebration winds down, the Air Force family will be led by Most Rev. Bishop Tumulak, as main celebrator, of a concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass offered by the Air Force family.  Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena and his lady, Ms. Jocy Rabena will lead the Air Force faithful in a special anniversary mass on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 9:00 o’ clock in the morning to be held at the Saint Therese Shrine.  

            A day after the Air Force Thanksgiving Mass, a Parade and Review will be conducted to honor retired members of the Philippine Air Force.  The event will be the highlight of the special day of recognition on Tuesday, June 28, 2011.  The Commanding General, Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena will be the keynote speaker during the event where former Air Force Chief, Lt Gen Horacio S Tolentino AFP (Ret) is top honoree.

            According to Public Information Director Lt Col Miguel Ernesto G Okol, the gathering of former PAF members is an annual activity, a prelude to the actual celebration of the 64^th PAF Day to be held on 1 July 2011.  The crowd of guests will be initially entertained by the all-female soldiers of 710^th SPOW as they perform a Silent Drill Exhibition.  The program proper will immediately follow the Wreath-laying Ceremony at the Monument of the Fallen Airman.  Awarding of outstanding PAF members will be among the highlights of the affair.

            With this year’s anniversary theme, “Ang Inyong Hukbong Himpapawid: Kaakibat Sa Kaunlaran at Kaisa Sa Kapayapaan” the series of month-long pre-anniversary activities of the PAF is in preparation for the forthcoming 64^th anniversary celebration.  National Defense Secretary Hon. Voltaire T Gazmin will be keynote speaker and guest of honor during the formal program marking the anniversary D-Day set for July 1, 2011. #