PAMPANGA PROVINCE, Philippines -- More than 20 Marines and sailors volunteered during one of many scheduled community relations projects here, Oct. 15, as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011.
Phiblex '11 is a two-week bilateral training exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marines and sailors from 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The exercise is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and to foster professional relationships between the two countries.
While there are several community relations efforts happening throughout the exercise, this particular event involved providing clothing, footwear, toys and athletic equipment to the residents of the Calumpang Barangay at the Calumpang Elementary School.
“I think that it's an outstanding way for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps to extend and further our relationship with the community,” said Sgt. Maj. Laura L. Brown, native of San Antonio and sergeant major of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3d MEB.
Marines and sailors interacted with the children by playing games with some of the recently donated toys. Many children even taught their new American friends words in Kapampangan, the local dialect.
“We show [the locals] that we're not just America's fighting force, but humanitarians as well,” said Brown.
While the volunteers continued to interact with the children at the school, the corpsmen and the Philippine Air Force medical staff held another open clinic offering medical and dental assistance.
“We don't pick and choose our situations,” said Chief Petty Officer Beverly A. Harris, Willacoochie, Ga. native and chaplain's assistant for MAG-36. “[The locals] don't have the means to get help, but by doing this we're building a bridge to their community.”
Lance Cpl. Jennifer R. Abel, Okinawa, Japan native and information systems specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, MAG-36, 3d MEB said that just being in Calumpang is a very humbling experience.
“I'm excited because I can explore my Filipino heritage,” she said. “I get to see where my family came from.”
According to Navy Lt. Mark A. Torres, Hanford, Calif. native and deputy chaplain of MAG-36, community relations projects will continue throughout the duration of the exercise.
According to Brown, Phiblex '11 is proving to foster a healthy alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines.
By strengthening bilateral ties through gestures of goodwill, the cooperative effort between the two countries can improve the quality of life in areas such as Calumpang.