PUPILS welcomed the US Marines and sailors with cheers. They also took pictures and asked for autographs of their visitors. ALlAN MACATUNO/ INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON
OLONGAPO CITY—Grade school pupils from Sta. Rita Elementary School here on Friday sang, danced, and played games with Filipino and American soldiers involved in this year’s Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat).
They welcomed the soldiers with cheers and immediately took pictures and asked for autographs of their visitors who arrived in their school at 8 a.m.
The US 7th Fleet Band, called Orient Express, and the Philippine Fleet Band held a mini concert, delighting the pupils on the second day of the soldiers’ annual exercises. Members of the US 7th Fleet Band surprised the crowd when they sang a Filipino song.
“I had fun today and I’m happy that they came here,” said Zeke Ethan Valdez, a Grade 3 pupil, referring to the visiting servicemen.
Janleen Kae Bitangcol, a Grade 5 pupil, said she also enjoyed play time with the visitors.
“I hope they could visit us every year,” Bitangcol told the Inquirer.
The pupils were also given the chance to quiz their visitors. “What do you do when you have a day off?” a student asked. US Marine Cpl. Carlos Nuñez replied, “We usually play basketball, soccer and video games.”
US Navy PO1 Vincent Saa said he was delighted to be part of this community service. “It feels great to spend our time with Filipino children and bring them something to cheer them up,” said Saa, who has Filipino roots.
According to Rear Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander of the US Submarine Group, these activities were part of their community service projects.
Munsch said 30 US Marines and sailors, joined by their Filipino counterparts, spent time with the pupils by playing basketball and the traditional Filipino street game called “tumbang preso.”
Lt. (j.g.) Rommel Rodriguez, public affairs officer of the Philippine Navy, said the Filipino and American troops were also scheduled to cheer up children in other communities, including schools in Cavite province, where some of the exercises were to be held for six days.
Marilou Cadondon, officer in charge of Sta. Rita Elementary School, said their students had been looking forward to the visit of the soldiers.
“Our students are enjoying the company of our visitors and we’re fortunate to have them today,” Cadondon said.
The US servicemen also donated English books and toys to the children before leaving the school.
About 1,000 Filipino and American naval troops are participating in the annual marine exercises that began on Thursday. The drills focus on combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance flights.
This year, the exercise events take place in several locations ashore and at sea, including Subic Bay, San Antonio town, in Zambales province; Sangley Point and Ternate town in Cavite.