Inspirasyon sa likod ng kwento ni Capt. Jerome Jacuba, alamin

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00:00Captain Jerome Hakuba, the one and only who served the Philippines.

00:06In 2016, a tragedy happened to Captain Jerome Hakuba

00:11after he exploded an improvised explosive device, IED,

00:15in their combat operation against the BIFF in Dato Salibo

00:19due to his surprise.

00:21But just a few months after this incident,

00:24he announced that he wanted to continue serving the country

00:28despite his disappearance.

00:31Captain Jerome Hakuba's steadfastness, inspiration, dedication,

00:35and love for the country proved true.

00:40And because of his continuous service,

00:43he is now the chairman of the Wounded Soldiers Agriculture Cooperative,

00:47or WSAC.

00:50And before we continue,

00:52let's talk to him and learn about the help and service

00:55of the WSAC to our fellow countrymen.

01:00We will be joined live in the studio by its chairman,

01:03Captain Jerome Hakuba.

01:05Captain Hakuba, I greet you and good morning.

01:08Rise and shine, Philippines.

01:10Welcome to our program.

01:12Yes, ma'am. Good morning. Good morning.

01:13And thank you very much, ma'am, for inviting us to your program.

01:18Captain Hakuba, it's our pleasure to have you here this morning.

01:21All right. I know it's hard to return to this year, 2016,

01:25where a big trial came into your life.

01:29You became totally blind because of this IED.

01:32What were you thinking back then

01:35about how to return to the service?

01:39Tell us your story, Captain Hakuba.

01:42Yes, ma'am. As a soldier,

01:44of course, we were trained to be a soldier

01:50and to serve our country.

01:53But there was an incident where we were bombed

01:58during our combat operations

02:00against the BIAFF in Maguindanao last 2016.

02:03But, ma'am, it was like this.

02:08I was blind, ma'am.

02:10God used me to be a light for many people.

02:14And I saw the true light of God in my life

02:18and at the same time, my true purpose in this world.

02:20And this is what I am using now,

02:24to be a blessing to many people.

02:27How did you overcome that trial?

02:30That's right, ma'am.

02:32Because of our Lord God,

02:34everything changed.

02:38And because of the family support,

02:40especially with the help of the Philippine Army,

02:46they gave us a chance to serve despite of my disability.

02:51They sent me to a computer school for the blind.

02:54And that's how I became functional despite of my disability.

02:59And something could happen, right?

03:01Because of what happened to you,

03:03an organization was established for the wounded soldiers.

03:08And you are the founder of this organization.

03:10Yes, yes.

03:11How did you decide to establish this organization

03:15and help others?

03:17After the incident, ma'am,

03:19I was assigned to DND Kapagdaka.

03:21That's the project of the ND for soldiers with disability.

03:24That's where I was assigned.

03:25And that's where I saw the true need of my fellow soldiers in the Philippines.

03:30After the Marawi siege in 2017, ma'am,

03:32in 2018, we organized the Wounded Soldiers Agriculture Cooperative

03:36because based on survey,

03:3770% to 80% of the wounded soldiers will return to their farmland

03:42and cultivate their land.

03:43And of course, they have relatives.

03:46They need a special training.

03:49That's why I'm thankful to the Armed Forces and the Philippine Army

03:54for giving us 5 hectares of land area in Sagbubutangas

03:58that we are currently working on.

04:01We are developing this into an accessible farm tourism industry

04:05and at the same time, skills and livelihood training center

04:07for our wounded soldiers and their dependents

04:09and for all soldiers who are interested for agricultural livelihood.

04:12So what are the training that they are doing?

04:16Since they already have a disability,

04:18how do we mold them in order to cultivate also this land

04:24that you mentioned in Sagbubutangas?

04:26Yes, ma'am.

04:27Prior to return in their respective units or before disability discharge,

04:33they will first go to the center in Sagbubutangas to train.

04:38It's a special training because ma'am can't get it from other agricultural training.

04:47For example, if you cut your foot or your hand,

04:50how can you cultivate?

04:51So there's a teamwork that will be done there together with their family

04:56on how they can cultivate or make food on their own.

05:01And for those who will continue in the service,

05:04we are preparing skills training especially computer training

05:10because they can't go to combat operation anymore.

05:13So they will undergo the computer training for their office work.

05:19Like me, ma'am, I can't operate anymore.

05:21So I'm just doing office work.

05:24You are still able to serve the people in other ways.

05:27Yes.

05:28As of now, how many members of our organization, sir?

05:31As of now, ma'am, we have 135 members.

05:35But there are 5,000 unprofiled members that we are still identifying.

05:42But this cooperative, we don't want to increase the number of members

05:45because it's wounded, ma'am.

05:47It's wounded if you become a member first.

05:50So that's our member list.

05:53Okay.

05:54And as of now, what challenges does your organization, WSAC, face?

05:59And how do you combat these challenges, sir?

06:03In our cooperative, ma'am, the funding of our organization is a big challenge

06:10because the government has a lot of support,

06:13particularly the Department of Agriculture.

06:15We were given the Mushroom Enterprise Development Project

06:18under the Bureau of Plant Industry.

06:21In the DA Region 4A, we were also given the Inspire Project.

06:26It's a swine project.

06:29But the big challenge is that we still need funds to operate the operational expenses.

06:37So those are the challenges we face there.

06:42Okay.

06:43So where are those who are watching and listening to us

06:46that can help you with the funding challenge

06:50because it's a good advocacy of this organization.

06:53How can they contact you if they want to collaborate with you, Captain?

06:58Yes, ma'am.

06:59Our main office is in Subotangas.

07:03We also have a satellite office inside Camp Aguinaldo,

07:06just behind the main office.

07:09And they can also contact us through our cell phone number,

07:1309171735148.

07:17My Facebook account is Jerome J. Jacoba.

07:21And my email is woundedsoldierscoop.gmail.com.

07:25We also have a National Heroes Day,

07:30which is a raffle for a cause and a fun run on National Heroes Day.

07:35It will be held in Camp Aguinaldo.

07:38The proceeds of this project will flow back directly to our members.

07:47We have a CARE program in the co-op.

07:52CARE stands for Comprehensive Adaptive Rehabilitation and Empowerment for Wounded Soldiers.

07:57It will address the psychological, physical, social, and economic needs of our wounded soldiers.

08:04We will provide them with a decent life.

08:09Even if they are retired or active, they will be the beneficiaries.

08:14Before I let you go, Captain Jacoba, what is your message to your fellow soldiers?

08:19What I can say to my fellow soldiers is,

08:24don't think about those who are no longer with you.

08:27Think about those who are still with you.

08:30Use your inspiration to make your dreams come true.

08:34Serve our country and our people.

08:37I am thankful to the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the DND,

08:44for continuing to support our soldiers who are fighting.

08:49We were not left behind.

08:51The brotherhood and camaraderie is still there.

08:55There is no one left behind.

08:58I tell my fellow soldiers,

09:01our ability is stronger than our disability.

09:05To God be the glory.

09:07Thank you very much.

09:08Captain Jacoba, thank you very much.

09:10Allow me to shake your hand.

09:11Captain, thank you for your visit to Rise and Shine Philippines.

09:15Again, we salute you and your heroism.

09:18Thank you, ma'am.

09:19I also want to tell them that everything that happens in our lives has a purpose.

09:24Romans 8.28 says,

09:25And all things work together for good to them that love God,

09:28and to them who are the cold according to His purpose.

09:31And the worse thing than being blind is having a sight but have no vision.

09:36Very inspiring.

09:37Thank you again, Captain Jerome Jacoba.

09:40Thank you.

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