Post by legionnaire on Sept 12, 2008 2:42:41 GMT -5
The Philippine Division Patch: The Carabao
Filipino: kalabaw; Malay: kerbau or Bubalus bubalis carabanesis
is a domesticated subspecies of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) found in the Philippines.
is a domesticated subspecies of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) found in the Philippines.
The Philippine Division patch is the Carabao head which many are not aware of its origin.
The carabao is the Filipino faithful animal everyday companion to work. This animal is treated like one of the family. It is very powerful, docile, slow in movement, and easy to train. This animal can be dangerous and deadly once pushed to anger. This animal is a work partner of farmers. It works from sunrise to sunset, as long its body is kept cool by watering. After work, it is brought to the river and soaked for few hours, then fed.
The American forces during the Filipino-American war used the carabao.
Faithfulness is not a carabao trait which this animals were use to transport guns, supplies, and Americans that were wounded.
Americans admired this animal and in 1900 founded the Military Order of the Carabao in Manila.
Faithfulness is not a carabao trait which this animals were use to transport guns, supplies, and Americans that were wounded.
Americans admired this animal and in 1900 founded the Military Order of the Carabao in Manila.
Open to those who served in the American Forces during the Fil-American War.
Its object:
“To foster a high standard of military and social duty and to perpetuate the memories
and association of military service in the early days of the American occupation.”
Its object:
“To foster a high standard of military and social duty and to perpetuate the memories
and association of military service in the early days of the American occupation.”
Why the Carabao?
It was chosen in recognition of the services rendered by the faithful carabao to the American forces,
principal beast of burden in the Philippines, which was used in the absence of the mule.
It was chosen in recognition of the services rendered by the faithful carabao to the American forces,
principal beast of burden in the Philippines, which was used in the absence of the mule.
In a battle between Filipino and Americans in April of 1899,
General Lawton’s men were shooting at Filipino troops when a herd of carabaos attacked the Americans.
The American forces could not explain why the beasts did not attack the Filipinos.
General Lawton’s men were shooting at Filipino troops when a herd of carabaos attacked the Americans.
The American forces could not explain why the beasts did not attack the Filipinos.
This was not an isolated case, since another carabao attack occurred in Meycauayan.
Major Putnam Bradlee Strong, who served in Mac Arthur’s staff,
related that a herd of carabaos ran straight into their battery,
ruined their battle formation, broke the leg of one soldier and gored a handful of men.
What was surprising was that after the rampage, the carabao became tame once more.
Major Putnam Bradlee Strong, who served in Mac Arthur’s staff,
related that a herd of carabaos ran straight into their battery,
ruined their battle formation, broke the leg of one soldier and gored a handful of men.
What was surprising was that after the rampage, the carabao became tame once more.
Then the United States Army chose the carabao head as the shoulder patch for the early Philippine Scouts,
which it indicate the Philippine Division.
It was worn by the best and gallant soldiers of the world, the Philippine Scouts.
Don’t forget the officers of these brave and gallant soldiers were all Americans from West Point.
which it indicate the Philippine Division.
It was worn by the best and gallant soldiers of the world, the Philippine Scouts.
Don’t forget the officers of these brave and gallant soldiers were all Americans from West Point.
Deep in my heart I feel sorry for this animal for the years working for its master, its life was not spared. The animal got to the stage of weakness and old age, the animal was killed and once more it served its master in the dining table as stew or BBQ. While the American Race horses, greyhound, and Blind Guiding dog were put in the retirement farm to enjoy the remaining years of their life.
I owe this story of the carabao from the author Ambeth R. Ocampo.
All Hail You Carabao
O, Carabao, O, Carabao
Our hearts shall ne'er forget,
For though the haze of fighting days,
Cling round about us yet.
The days of yore can come no more,
Our sunset fades, and now,
Our sons to you, swear to be true,
All Hail you Carabao.
Our sons to you, swear to be true,
All Hail you Carabao
The Carabao Gate, southern entrance to Fort McKinley, PI
All Hail You Carabao
O, Carabao, O, Carabao
Our hearts shall ne'er forget,
For though the haze of fighting days,
Cling round about us yet.
The days of yore can come no more,
Our sunset fades, and now,
Our sons to you, swear to be true,
All Hail you Carabao.
Our sons to you, swear to be true,
All Hail you Carabao
The Carabao Gate, southern entrance to Fort McKinley, PI
Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2000 Issue
by David V. Tejada
by David V. Tejada
ref. wikipedia.