Philippine reservists from across the country witnessed leadership in action as ARRAPI Chairman Col. Michael “Mikee” Romero, renowned sportsman and ranked polo player, spearheaded the AFP National Reservist Convention CY 2025 and ARRAPI’s 2nd General Membership Conference at One Ayala Mall in Makati.
More than 4,500 reservists attended in person, while 48,000 others joined virtually, making it one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Philippine history.
Jointly hosted by ARRAPI and the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Force Development (OJ9), the convention also featured AFP OJ9 Chief Maj. Gen. Gerold G. Gagan, with Secretary of National Defense Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as Guest of Honor.
Held under the theme “Adapting to an Evolving Security Environment: Reservists at the Forefront of Cooperative Defense,” the event highlighted the growing role of reservists in national defense, disaster response, and community resilience.
“There are moments in our nation’s history when ordinary Filipinos rise to do extraordinary things – when disasters strike and communities need help,” Romero said.
“In those moments, help arrives not with fanfare, but with boots on the ground and hearts ready to serve. From Batanes to Sulu, our reservists stand ready to protect, respond, and help our people recover.”
Maj. Gen. Gagan described the convention as historic and record-breaking, noting that the scale of participation reflects the growing professionalism and readiness of the reserve force.
International engagement came from the United States National Guard, led by The Adjutant General of Hawaii, Maj. Gen. Philip Mallory, and The Adjutant General of Guam, Col. Watson, along with 30 U.S. National Guard members, showcasing strong defense cooperation and interoperability.
The convention closed with a renewed call for unity, preparedness, and active citizen participation, underscoring the unwavering commitment of Filipino reservists to serve the nation whenever and wherever they are needed.
