Sta. Marcela, Apayao – An yApayao soldier prayed for his father to still be alive till he finished his Philippine Marines training to show him the fruits of his father’s sacrifices, and right after he graduated on September 1, 2023, he rushed home.
Lymmuel S. Foronda, a 23-year-old resident of barangay San Carlos and a recent graduate of the Philippine Marines, is one of the beneficiaries of the program of the Provincial Government of Apayao called ASENG – Apayao Socio-economic Efforts Necessary for Growth. One component is to provide employment opportunities to families of the poorest of the poor in far-flung areas.
One of the means of ASENG is to open recruitment to young men and women who can join the Philippine Army, PNP, BFP, and other security forces like the Marines. The Provincial Government of Apayao provides cash aid to support these young people in the processing of their papers, taking their exams, and if they pass, sending them to their training.
Foronda is one of the 22 yApayaos who recently graduated from the Philippine Marines Training.
Lymmuel is the eldest among his siblings and made a promise to his father that he will finish his education and training in order to alleviate their living condition.
Before going for the six-month training, the young soldier didn’t know that his father’s health was deteriorating fast and thought he would still be fine when he finally graduated.
According to the family, Samuel Foronda, his father, had been taking constant medication for an enlarged heart for the past eight years. The father had been visiting the hospital regularly since July 10 because of a sudden ache near his heart.
After Lymmuel graduated, he rushed home to Apayao and was able to catch his father gasping for his last breaths.
Lymmuel, in a conversation with Guru Press Cordillera, narrated that when he got into the room where his father was, he immediately sat near his father and looked into his eyes, gripping his hands while declaring he already realized his dream to become one of the marines and that he can finally help his siblings.
He said there was a glimmer in his eyes as responded with a light touch. His father gave up the ghost minutes later.
Lymmuel restated his promise to his father on his father's deathbed that he would support the family.
Lymmuel will be deployed to Tawi-Tawi on September 14 following his father's funeral.
Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to all who supported him on his road to becoming an official servant of the nation, particularly the Provincial Government of Apayao and Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. who is the brainchild of the ASENG and the idea to open recruitment to all yApayao young people and support them in their dream to be a part of the military or security forces of the country.
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