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All On The Same Boat

Message of Lt General Oscar H Rabena AFP CG, PAF

First Monday Flag Raising, 5 April 10

Amenities…

First of all, on behalf of Mrs Rabena and my family, I would to greet the men and women of the Philippine Air Force a Happy Easter!

The month of April in the Philippines is said to be the heat blitz of the mid-summer season. This month is usually known for repentance time because of our observance of the Lenten season highlighted by the Semana Santa that ended yesterday with Easter.

Indeed, there are so many things to be thankful for this morning. Aside from the chance to be with our family and loved ones last week, we have also fortified our relationship with our Lord Almighty and allowed His love to heal our hearts in the midst of trials and challenges.

During the past days, we have come to realize how fragile life could be. Many lives were lost because of the suicide bombing in Russia and in the country, we bear witness to drought, loss of homes, lives and properties because of fire. There are too many depressing news that often times make us wonder what is happening to us now.

Our world…our nation…our lives need healing and deeper retrospection. Right after Holy Week, with renewed hope and cheer, my message to you is clear: LET US STICK TOGETHER AND FORTIFY OUR RELATIONSHIPS WTH THOSE WE VALUE IN OUR LIVES. Relationships, are more important than money, position or possessions. Relationships sustain and protect our happiness and things dear to us. Our relationship with our peers, colleagues, subordinates and superiors should be given due seriousness just like our personal relationship with our families. Because when all things fail, our relationships are the only CERTAIN THINGS in uncertain times.

Adversity may have threatened us , but as history have taught us well, unity and resolve will help us defeat it all. We saw the unforgettable scenes, and we learned from the lessons. To me, the main lesson that we should learn is THE STRENGTH OF TIES THAT BIND US is our common resolve to give our best in service of others.

By the strength of our ties, we will weather storms. By our driving resolve to meet any challenge, our Air Force will surely deliver on request, on initiative and with brilliance. By our dedicated service, we will be known and will remain as champions, not only in sports, but more so in time of calamities, in drills, in base security and services, in training and skills, in spirituality and many more. In so doing, we can propagate our INSTEP culture to those whom we offer our services.

I remembered a forwarded message about the Noah’s Ark. It is said that everything we need to know can be learned from the Noah’s Ark, so let just go through it rather briefly:

“ONE: Don't miss the boat. Opportunity knocks only once.

TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat! We all belong to one family.

THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. Planning, indeed, ensures success.

FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old or above, someone may ask you to do something really big. Just like our God who called Noah to built his ark.

FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. Remember how you are distracted by people around you? Just focus on your mission and your task.

SIX: Build your future on high ground. Always take the moral high ground

SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs. It allows us not only companionship but also security.

EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board the ark with the cheetahs. The cheetahs are the fastest animals. By being deliberately careful, it is also as important as being fast.

NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile. You need to rest and give time for yourself.

TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. But more importantly, the Air Force was built with Divine Guidance so let us always invoke God’s guidance in everything we do.

ELEVEN: No matter the storm, WHEN YOU ARE WITH GOD, THERE'S ALWAYS A RAINBOW WAITING.”

Everything will be okay and we’ll all be fine because we believe in it. All because we have an In-STEP Air Force – an Air Force that believes in Integrity, Service, Teamwork, Excellence and Professionalism united in celebration as well as in pursuit of common goals. And all because our faith dictates that with Christ, nothing is impossible.

Let us thank God for all the blessings we’ve had. May He keep watch over the Philippine Air Force as we recommit our energies for God, for our country and for our people.

Magandang umaga and let us have a happy and fruitful month of April.

God bless us all !

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