MEDAL OF VALOR FOR AN IGOROT SOLDIER
Igorot hero in Marawi, CORPORAL GENER C. TINANGAG, of the PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS, is posthumously awarded the highest military honor, the Medal of Valor. 10th of July, 2021
If we recall, in 2017, the entire world first heard of Gener Tinangag as that young Marine from Mountain Province who lost his life while in the process of retrieving a slain officer. Prior to his demise, he was being credited for the successful rescue of four wounded comrades.
..............................................................................
I too, am a proud native of Mountain Province, so I wrote this poem in honor of his legacy..
"HAIL TO THE MOUNTAIN MAN"
A mountain man, he joined the march
Of soldiers brave, on troubled lands;
Through furious fire on paths of war,
Through barricades on bloody sands.
Before the flag he pledged his life,
To leave behind his highland home,
To fight the fight with all his might,
Though bullets rain, and death may come.
Indeed he left his mountain farm,
His comfort zone, his paradise,
His sweet young child, his lover's arm;
All in the name of sacrifice.
All for a cause that heroes take,
That beckons on the hearts of men,
"Lay down your life for freedom's sake,
And know your death is not in vain."
--Bag-iw.................................../10Jul2021
(Photo credit: Philippine Marine Corps)
