Internet works wonders for soldiers holidays By Michael Jaucian, Inquirer Southern Luzon, PDI page A7, December 2, 2015 LIGAO CITY - The holidays were made a little less lonely for soldiers on duty here by their access to the internet, which allowed them to talk with and see their love ones. Nearly 100 soldiers from the Armys 2nd Infantry Battalion based in Brgy Tula-tula Grande here, were given access to the online chat application Skype on New Years eve and succeeding days. LtCol Perfecto Peñaredondo, 2IB head who initiated the activity, said the Inquirer that the thought of giving his soldiers access to Skype already helped ease their homesickness. Many of the soldiers, who spend Christamas and New Year (away from their families) just to be for service to the people desrve a reward, said Peñaredondo. He said soldiers would continue to enjoy access to the Internet during special occasions and to boost their morale. On New Years eve, batches of soldiers (20-30 per batch) were allowed to use Skype to talk with and see their families. Peñaredondo said that soldiers who hail from Mindanao and Visayas were given priority and allowed 10 minutes each to use Skype on laptop computers. Private Edgardo O. Espartero, 24, from General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte, who has been away from his family for nearly two years now since joining the Army in 2012, said it was his first to greet his parents and siblings through the Internet since his assignment in Bicol. Im very excited but quite nervous as this is my first time to use video chat my entire life, said Espartero. Espartero said he gets in touch only with his family through txts and calls. Lt. Albert Bellingan, 26, from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, said using Skype is a big morale booster since soldiers seldom see their love ones due to their work. Bellingan, who has been in the service for eight years, said most of the time soldiers are deployed to remote areas for humanitarian work and for a campaign to bring the poeple closer to the government. Its indeed a privilege and worthwhile to experience how it is to greet in real time, said Bellingan. At least we can extend to our family our Happy New Year greetings, Bellingan said. Aside from giving access to Skype, the command prepared a New Years party for the soldiers.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:05:40 +0000
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