18th Annual ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet - photos

[VeeVee]

Here are pictures sent in by Perry taken at the 18th Annual ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet held at Camp O'Donnell, Tarlac. (Assoc. of South East Asian Nations)

Part of the event is the memorialization of the history of the place, and a tribute to the Filipino WW2 heritage. BNK participated and worked with Col. Aguilar in the reenactment and display. It's very commendable how these impressions were collected and put together. You have to understand that the equipment and items needed for impressions are extremely hard to acquire in the Philippines. If I remember right, many of the kelly helmets were fabricated resin material. (so pardon any inaccurate details if any)

What an excellent opportunity to share the history with representatives from neighboring countries -- that once upon a time, freedom was fought for by those incarcerated at this old Phil. Army camp. The brotherhood and goodwill generated with neighboring countries by the rifle competition event is a fitting tribute to those who once fought for peace and freedom. Yeah!

Kudos to Col. Aguilar for having that vision and making this possible. Kudos to BNK for helping with this event. Salutes!

(click thumbnails for bigger version)















Rifle Meet participants from the other ASEAN countries

Malaysians


Singaporeans


Taiwanese


Thai


Vietnamese

[VeeVee]

Cross posting some of the news articles about the event collected by Adroth in the Timawa forum:
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RP hosts 18th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet in Tarlac
December 4, 2008 3:44 pm by pna

balita.ph/2008/12/04/rp-hosts-18th-asean-armies-rifle-meet-in-tarlac/

MANILA, Dec. 4 — The Philippine Army is hosting the 18th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) and the 9th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of Armies Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM) beginning Thursday at Camp O'Donnel in Capas, Tarlac.

"The AARM is the most prestigious military shooting competition in the region," said Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.

Introduced in 1991, it was first held at Terendak Camp in Malacca, Malaysia to seek ways to maintain and intensify the relationships between the armies of the ASEAN without entering into a military treaty.

The 10 ASEAN member countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

This is the third time that the Philippines is hosting the event, the first in 1995 and the second in 2001.

The military rifle teams joining the competition come from the ranks of private to colonel. They compete in five different categories namely: Rifle, Carbine, Machine Gun, Pistol Ladies and Pistol Men. A VIP Novelty Shoot Competition for Chiefs and Deputies of the Armies and Contingent Commanders are also lined up.

Last year, when Thailand hosted the event, the Philippines garnered third place overall and also emerged as the champion of the Rifle Competition.

The ACAMM, on the other hand, was conceived in 2000 as an offshoot of the presence of all Chiefs of Armies during the closing ceremony of AARM.

This is intended to foster military-to-military cooperation, develop interpersonal relationships and contribute to regional cooperation and stability in the ASEAN.

Closing ceremony and goodwill night program will be held on Dec. 10.

"The AARM/ACAMM hosting can no longer be equated as a Philippine Army show alone. It is a task that will serve to showcase not just the province of Tarlac but the country as a whole. Hence, it is imperative that other stakeholders join in ensuring that the hosting becomes a resounding success," said Brawner. (PNA)

[VeeVee]

Top ASEAN riflemen 'gather' in RP to watch Pacquiao fight
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/06/2008 1:50 PM

www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/06/08/asean-military-rifle-teams-watch-pacquiao-fight-rp

What was originally planned as a gathering of ASEAN's top military riflemen has turned into a day to watch the highly-anticipated "Dream Match" between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Oscar "Golden Boy" de la Hoya.

Delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam who are participating in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Armies Rifle (AARM) meet at Camp O' Donnell in Capas, Tarlac, will stop aiming their guns on Sunday and join co-participants from the Philippine Army to watch the fight.

According to at least one delegate, he is looking forward to the fight's telecast Sunday (Saturday night in Las Vegas).

"We love Pacquiao and we are all cheering for him," according to Lt. Col. Sorawit Parncharoen of the Royal Thai Army.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado wanted this year's AARM to be marked as a gathering of ASEAN countries in the spirit of camaraderie, goodwill, friendship, and cooperation, with the theme "A Shared Vision for a Strong ASEAN."

Introduced in 1991, the AARM was first held at Terendak Camp in Malacca, Malaysia to seek ways in intensifying relationships between ASEAN armies without entering into a military treaty. This is the third time that the country is hosting the event, with the first and second in 1995 and 2001, respectively.

The free live telecast at the AARM mess hall serves as the Philippine Army's treat not only to the ASEAN delegates, but also to all soldiers and their families. It is also their way of showing support to Pacquiao, who they said has been very sympathetic to the military's cause.

Aside from the live telecast of the Pacquiao fight, the Philippine Army will also be putting up an activity center with food booths, spa services, KTV, and different band shows to entertain the delegates after a whole day of firing.

The Army, however, said that the live telecast will not disrupt the ongoing rifle competition at the Light Armor Division. It said delegates who have no scheduled event for the day are also free to watch the fight.

[VeeVee]

Singapore shooting team chief commends Army for successful AARM 2008 meet
December 8, 2008 7:45 pm by pna

balita.ph/2008/12/08/singapore-shooting-team-chief-commends-army-for-successful-aarm-2008-meet/

MANILA, Dec. 8 — An official of the Singapore Shooters Team (SST) today is amazed of Philippine Army's hosting the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) 2008.

Frankie Padman, SST duty manager, shared his feedbacks on the PA's hosting of the AARM 2008.

Padman hailed from Singapore, a highly developed market-ket-based economy, one of the Four Asian Tigers and a popular travel destination.

He shared also his AARM experiences since 1993, their plans, his suggestions for the next AARM with Singapore as the new host country.

While in Manila, Padman and his friends watched and cheered in the ballyhooed Manny Pacquiao-Oscar dela Hoya 'dream fight.'

He favored Pacquiao to whip Dela Hoya. Eventually, Pacquiao's ring savvy took its toll on the slow-moving and aging Puerto Rican ex-sixth world ring divisions champion.

Padman favored the Filipino national fist. Also known as Pacman, Pacquiao is a PA reservist and a Peoples' Champ in his native country Philippines.

Singapore will be the next host.

He recalled: "This is my third time to come to the Philippines for the AARM. The first was in 1995, second in 2001 both were held in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, but this year’s event is the best. The firing ranges are fantastic.

"The Philippine Army Engineers have done it well. Definitely, we will put up an activity center just like what you did.”

Padman praised the Activity Center with show bands every night, KTV, food booths, bazaars.

The PA put up the center to entertain the delegates after a whole day of firing.

Putting up an activity center happened for the first time since the AARM was first conducted in 1991 in Malaysia.

In his almost 15 years in the AARM, Padman noticed that the Asian spirit and friendship – the core value of AARM – were slowly losing its value.

This was mainly because each of them focused on the pressure of the competition.

Thoughts such as: “Which country is going to be the overall champion?”, “Who will bring home the most gold medals or trophies?”, or “Who will be the best shooter?”

But with the PA's hosting this year, it was different.

“Winning should only be second to the real essence of AARM – which is friendship, camaraderie, and cooperation,” said Padman.

Major Gen. Carlos B. Holganza, AFP, chief of the AFP Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) said: “The competition is only incidental. What we are really after here are the activities other than competition to foster that essence of AARM among the delegates.”

Holganza took his rounds to check and monitor the progress of the competition and activities being held in his camp.

Padman praised the Filipinos' friendliness, hospitality and accommodation.

“They speak English very well so it is easier to communicate with them and say what you want. They are very accommodating and warm,” he said.

Lee, a Singaporean shooter, two-time Individual Men’s Pistol Champion in 2001 and 2003 agreed to Padman's observations.

“I would definitely visit the Philippines again for a holiday,” said Lee.

“You see, many people now wanted to be a shooter so they can go to different countries like this and experience this. (Our) Chairman of Singapore, Organizing Committee for the AARM 2009 is now here to observe and he is enjoying it. The spirit of AARM is coming back to life,” Padman bared.

For AARM 2009, Padman said he would suggest a team competition.

He said: "Each team will consist of a shooter or a representative from each country so that they will have a chance to talk to shooters other than their teammates, connive with them, and devise a strategy on how to win a particular event."

Padman commended the PA for having a fantastic and great job in hosting the AARM.

“I would like to thank the Philippine Army, your Commanding General, the AARM Organizing Committee, and most especially those people who have worked underground – members of the Philippine Army Engineers, Tradoc, Light Armor Division for making this event possible and successful. Good luck to everyone and see you all in Singapore!” said Padman.

[VeeVee]

I was adviced that the could have been mislabeled and that the "Taiwanese" were actually representatives of Burma. And the Thai are reps from Brunei.

Taiwanese (possibly Burmese)


Thai (possibly Brunei)

[legionnaire]

I congradulate Col. Restituto Aguilar for organizing and hosting the event! And trying to bring awareness of our history to the visitors. With the very first gathering of 9 WWII Jeeps with their reenactors/ owners presence Alvin Alfonso , plus Col. Aguilar's men particpation as WWII death march "survivors.

It seems they all had a great time at the openning day event.

To the BNK Filipinas , with Pedro Javier A great job on your impressions. I hope this will kick start a more active involvement and encourage more new members to participate in this hobby which helps raise awareness of the sacrifices of the Filipino soldier during WWII and keeping their legacy alive with the Filipino public.

Philip

[indiosbravos]

I'm very pleased and impressed. Liked Philip have said, i hope this kind of event will become a yearly thing....

Mabuhay...BNK, Phil.Army and the guinit hat architect/s...

[cco23i]

GREAT SHOTS! Who makes the denim shirt that was in the photos?

Scott

[legionnaire]

Scott,

Perry Javier who is wearing the darker dungarees had them made back there. He is the Person to get in touch with.

Philip

[legionnaire]

Photos sent in by Alvin Alfonso



Camp O' Donnell Welcome sign Ten Nation participation





some of the nine WWII Willy's Jeeps from the Military Vehicles Preservation Association Pilipinas




death march Japanese brutality reenactment with Col Aguilar's Enlisted men of the Philippine Army




Camp mess hall - third from right in camo Col. Restituto Aguilar, PA base commander
and main event organizer hosted by the Philippine Army.




Filipina Guerrilla fighters with Ding Flores
















Alvin receiving certificate of appreciation from event Organized Col Aguilar, PA




Pedro Javier receiving his certificate from Col Aguilar too.




Selwyn receiving his certificate



end of the day- Job well done!

[VeeVee]

Dec 15, 2008 16:18:59 GMT -5 legionnaire said:

Scott,

Perry Javier who is wearing the darker dungarees had them made back there. He is the Person to get in touch with.

Philip

Great shots Alvin, thanks for sending them in.

Scott, it's harder and prohibitively expensive if you're in the Philippines to order from the usual vendors like WWII Impressions, et al. If it's just clothes, they can be easily replicated much cheaper by a local tailor or seamstress there. -victor

[79thfoot]

Yikes, Philip is this the one you were trying to contact me about? Man... sayang. I've been so darn busy with my work since I got back I've not been able to get anything done. I really hate this bloody call center job. I should work with battlefield tours or something.

Looking great BnK!
Tom

[cco23i]

Victor,
I understand, that makes sense. I was hoping to be sent to Turkey with the military and get a set or 4 made up but, nope! I really want a shirt designed off of the standard khaki shirt for my pre war impression for being assigned to Del Carmen. I will see what I can do on this end. Thanks!

Scott

[noy]

darn it!

where was i when this happened. Ive got to be more active from now on