Depicting the life and works of the first Four-star General of Mindanao

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 14): Depicting the life and works of the first Four-star General of Mindanao

Who would think that an ordinary man from a very simple family would become surprisingly extraordinary and an inspiration to the many?

He is the complete epitome of a person who believes in the saying, “it pays to work hard.” He got his guiding principle in life from Cicero, a Roman philosopher, who said: “The man who commands efficiently must have obeyed others in past, and the man who obeys dutifully is worthy of being someday a commander.”

Childhood

Alexander Badong Yano was the eldest in a brood of five who were raised by parents, Iñigo Yano and Gloria Badong; both public school teachers. Their family came from the municipality of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

He graduated salutatorian during his elementary education in a public school in Zamboanga del Norte in 1965. He went to Dipolog to pursue his secondary education at Saint Vincent’s College and graduated with honors in 1969.

As described by Ms. Josefina M. Alforque, one of his grade schoolteachers, “Alex was everything a Grade 1 teacher would have wanted of a pupil: obedient, polite, friendly, and well-behaved. One could tell even then that he’d grow up to be a man of fine character. He excelled in almost all subjects more particularly in arithmetic, reading and writing.”

General Yano married Estela Aragon from La Union, now a retired military nurse, with whom he has a son named Ervin Andrew.

Entering PMA

“I was a student activist during my college days in Cebu in 1969-1972. I was then a third year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering student and was not an ideal student. I was an irregular student due to activism. I thought, I wouldn’t have finished engineering in five years,” Gen. Yano said.

“When Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets visited Cebu, I was impressed by their discipline and performance during drills. I took the exam and passed in 1972. I want to pursue my ideals in a more positive and productive way as a cadet and soldier,” he added.

He further said that because of the scholarship in the academy and being the eldest in a financial- constrained family with siblings starting college in Cebu, he decided to pursue a military career.

As a PMA cadet, he excelled in athletics and extra-curricular activities. He even set two PMA athletic records, in high jump for 5 ft. 9 inches and 400-meter low hurdles by 1.9 seconds.

He later on completed and topped in all his military trainings in the Philippines and abroad. He also finished the Infantry Officers Advance Course in the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning and Georgia, USA and landed in the Commandant’s List as an honor graduate.

Service beyond the call of duty

General Alexander B. Yano got the highest position in the AFP hierarchy as the 38th AFP chief of staff, succeeding General Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr.

He became the great pride of Zamboanga del Norte, being the first four-star military general not only from the province but the whole of Mindanao as well. He was also the 49th commanding general of the Philippine Army.

He had been assigned in Northern and Central Luzon and the provinces of Samar in the 70s and 80s during the height of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebellion.

He became Task Force Zamboanga chief and overall ground tactical commander during the 2001 Cabatangan crisis that led to the release of over a hundred civilian hostages from over 300 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) breakaway group elements. This accomplishment gained him a name as the “Liberator of Cabatangan” from the late Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat.

“I was dealing with the CPP and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) threats, terrorism and kidnapping in Mindanao, consolidation of the force and preventing coups,” Yano said when asked about the challenges he faced with while active in the military service.

During Gen. Yano’s term as the brigade commander in General Santos City, no single terrorist bombing occurred during the height of terrorism.

After receiving his “first-star” in 2003, he was the first in his batch who became a general. And in 2005, he earned his “second star” as a major general.

Onay Museum

An impressive and incredible masterpiece and collection of Gen. Yano’s journey in life was built and completed in 2009 in Sicayab, Dipolog City, featuring his humble beginnings and his achievements being a man of consequence.

A big portrait showing the life and works of the general would welcome you as you enter the museum. You would be tempted to pose for a picture with this portrait depicting his childhood to adolescence and to his years in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and Philippine Army (PA).

Definitely, you wouldn’t want to miss taking a pose with all the awards and other souvenir items of General Yano inside the museum.

Among his collections are his memorabilia, uniforms, trophies, medals and plaques of appreciation and recognition for his courage and bravery, and other items gathered in the course of his military and diplomatic careers. Photos and news clippings about his great works and legacy are also displayed inside the museum.

“You will find collection of items from my boyhood days in Sindangan and Dipolog, college days in Cebu, cadetship in PMA, my distinguished military career spanning 37 years and my ambassadorial tour in Brunei Darussalam,” General Yano said.

One of the attention-catchers from his array of things displayed in the museum is a letter written during his elementary years on July 4, 1960 addressed to his grandmother and uncle; asking them to send him money for his uniform and clothing.

“This will serve as an inspiration to local residents and young people showing my humble beginnings that they too can succeed through hard work, sacrifice and dedication,” the general further said.

Although it is open to the public, one has to seek prior permission from the general or his caretaker before he could explore inside the gallery.  

Facing new challenges

Gen. Yano had his early retirement on May 1, 2009 and was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado.

Right after his retirement from the military service, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed him as the Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam.

Presently, he is living as an ordinary citizen but still continuously serving the Filipino people in his own little ways.

He had written and published his book entitled “Onay: A personal journey”.

“I want to share my thoughts, experiences and personal story so that people may gain lessons and inspiration from it - that a local boy who, with sheer perseverance, hardwork, sacrifice and merit, had reached the highest post in the AFP,” Gen. Yano said.

“Strive hard through your own merit, talents, hardwork and sacrifice. Endeavor for excellence in everything you do,” his answer when asked for his formula of success.

Truly, he is a man with a competent leadership, a dedication to duty, and a high level of professionalism, bringing prestige, honour and inspiration to the Filipinos, especially the youth.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2491367825613