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165 FIL-AM MILITARY RETIREES JOIN A journey back home
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: By Rachel Castro-Barawid
Date: 2005-01-31
 
For two years now, the Philippines has served as a favored holiday destination for a particular group of balikbayans — the Filipino-American military retirees. These well-traveled, former men in uniform, chose to return to their home country (instead of visiting other tourist destinations in Asia or elsewhere), primarily to go sightseeing in several of our popular tourist sites, to go shopping and finally to reunite with relatives in the provinces.





Last year, Eduardo Paulo, president of the Filipino-American Retired United States Armed Forces Association (FARUSAFA), and 61 of his members came to the Philippines for the first time as a group to spend their much-awaited vacation. They visited then several war memorials and shrines in Corregidor, tried shooting the rapids in Pagsanjan Falls, checked out Villa Escudero and saw the best of Manila. Rajah Travel Corporation made sure they enjoyed their stay and had a good time.



This year, Paulo is leading a group of 164 — composed of returnees from last year’s trip and new ones who did not need much coaxing, as they were more than willing to visit the Philippines and eager to experience that "good time."



"We’ve been to many places. We traveled the Baltics, northern Europe, the Caribbean, Americas. But what makes the Philippines more special is that we speak the language, eat the food and were born here. Also, there are so many new places to see and discover. Now that we can afford it, why not take this great opportunity?" Paulo said.



The 11-day and 10-night tour will take the group to Boracay, Ilocos Norte’s famous city of Laoag and Fort Ilocandia, Vigan and Pagudpud, Benguet, Sagada and to the 8th wonder of the world — the Banaue Rice Terraces to discover how the locals are able to preserve such masterpiece. After their tour, the group will return to the Manila Hotel where they are billeted, to hold a grand ball and despidada party to be graced by Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano.



For two years, the Manila Hotel also served as their temporary home while in the country.



"We wanted a good place, elegant yet comfortable. Not too expensive and accessible to everything — shopping malls, restaurants, night spots. So we are here in Manila Hotel for the second time, " he said.



From a small organization founded by seven men on August 1957, the membership of FARUSAFA grew to the present 570. Members are mostly natural-born Filipinos who have retired from the US Armed Forces and Navy. Paulo said they also accept American-born military retirees who are married to Filipinos.



The association was formed for the social and recreational purposes of its members and their families. Aside from holding group tours, other activities of the organization include golf tournaments, picnics for family members, Christmas parties and other social gatherings. Paulo said they also have fund-raising projects like benefit dances, scholarship grants to children and grandchildren of members and help out in the local charities in the area.



Although the FARUSAFA members are strongly drawn to the country because of its beautiful destinations, Paulo disclosed that many of them would still choose to remain as visitors rather than reside here. With the members of their immediate families living in the States, Paulo said they are much more comfortable there, citing the perfect weather, the cheap food, affordable things. Moreover, most of them are also working there — either self-employed or are working in other branches of the US government, he noted.



"The retirement pay we get every month is sufficient enough for us to live comfortably. I owe it to the navy for the kind of life I have now," he confided.



Paulo has been living in the States with his wife and three children for almost four decades now. He studied at the Philippine Maritime Institute to pursue his dream of working onboard a ship. At age 21, he left the country to fulfill his dream. A few years later, he got more than what he wanted. He joined the US Navy and became a petty officer. It was here where he witnessed many of the great events in history — the Vietnam War, Folkland-Argentine War, among others. He was also in the Cuban Missile Embargo.



After almost 20 years in the Navy, Paulo retired as Senior Chief, the second to the highest ranking enlisted member, the first being Master Chief.



A native of San Antonio, Zambales, he is now a general contractor, running his own small business in California.



After their trip to various destinations, Paulo said most of the members will proceed to their respective provinces to visit their relatives, others will move on to Bangkok for a side trip while a few will return to the States.

 

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