The Philippine Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion (53IB) celebrated the academic excellence of two of its enlisted personnel during a special ceremony this week.
Ceremony Highlights Soldier Excellence
On Monday, December 29, 2025, the battalion held recognition rites as part of its regular flag-raising ceremony. The event took place at Camp Major David Sabido, the unit's headquarters located in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.
Leading the proceedings was Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Vargas Jr., the commanding officer of the 53IB. He personally awarded Certificates of Recognition to the two distinguished corporals.
Recognizing Top Performers
The soldiers honored were Corporal Manolito Macapobre Jr. and Corporal Aljerico Alferez.
Corporal Macapobre achieved the highest distinction, graduating as the Top 1 of the Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer Basic Course, Class 935-2025.
Meanwhile, Corporal Alferez secured an impressive 5th place in the Adjutant General Service Non-Commissioned Officer Basic Course, Class 89-2025.
Commitment to Excellence and Development
In his remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Vargas emphasized that the recognition was more than just a ceremony. He stated it affirmed the battalion's deep commitment to motivating its personnel to pursue the highest standards of service.
The event served multiple key purposes for the unit:
- Acknowledging exemplary performance and dedication.
- Fostering a strong sense of pride within the ranks.
- Motivating other personnel to strive for excellence in their training.
- Reinforcing the battalion's commitment to continuous education and leadership development.
The ceremony underscored a core principle of the Philippine Army: that training excellence is a cornerstone in building a disciplined, capable, and mission-ready force. By highlighting the achievements of Corporals Macapobre and Alferez, the 53IB aims to inspire all its soldiers to value professional growth and merit-based accomplishment.
