‘Descendants of the Sun’ cast urged to impart value of patriotism

FILE: VALUE OF PATRIOTISM. Philippine Army commander, Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto (left) shares a light moment with actors Dingdong Dantes (2nd from left); Jasmine Curtis Smith (2nd from right); and Rocco Nacino (right), who are the lead actors of the local remake of the South Korean television series “Descendants of the Sun”, at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday (August 20, 2019). The South Korean military romance drama, starring Song Joong-ki and Song Hye Kyo, aired over GMA-7 in July 2016. (Photo courtesy: Office of the Army Chief Public Affairs)

MANILA ⁠— Philippine Army (PA) commander, Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, on Tuesday urged the cast of the Filipino remake of the South Korean drama series “Descendants of the Sun” to show the young generation the importance of patriotism and service to the country.

Paying a courtesy call on the PA chief were actors Dingdong Dantes, Rocco Nacino, and actress Jasmine Curtis Smith.

“Ang training ng military, hindi lang yan puro giyera. Meron ding pag-respond sa mga disaster (na) magagamit din sa buhay sibilyan, lalo na ng mga kabataan (Military training is not just for war. It also entails disaster response, which can be applied in civilian life, especially the youth),” Alberto said as he recalled the recent training that most of the actors underwent in the Special Forces Regiment.

“Kaya yung mga kabataan natin, i-encourage natin na mag-ROTC (Reserved Officers Training Corps) or whatever positive training na pwede sila mag-take part (Our youth should be encouraged to undergo ROTC or whatever positive training where they can take part),” he added in a statement forwarded late Tuesday.

Curtis, who will be playing the role of a military doctor, said she wants to convey to the people the urgency to learn basic life support skills.

She also wanted the youth to seize every opportunity to help the country.

“I hope that they can see the importance of the role of the Army at sana ma-enganyo din sila mag-join (and I hope they will be enticed to join) because it is such an important part of our nation to have a strong army,” Curtis added.

On the other hand, Dantes expressed appreciation for the military training they have gone through, as well as their exchange of communication with senior leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who helped them prepare for the portrayal of their respective characters.

“Kapag sinabing dedication to flag, it goes beyond kahit anong political regime, kahit anong boundaries. It cuts across religion, it cuts across gender. Pangkalahatan talaga ang pagsisilbi para sa ating mamamayan and you need a certain level of sacrifice to do that at ‘yun yung binibigay ng ating kasundaluhan (When we say dedication to the flag, it goes beyond any political regime or any boundary. It cuts across religion and gender. Serving the people needs a certain level of sacrifice and that is what our troops give),” the actor added.

“It’s not all about war. It’s protecting the peace and reaching our communities. We are a very young country. It’s just a matter of giving them (the youth) opportunities na mag-flourish ‘yung kanilang mga sarili (to help themselves flourish) and be inspired by the Armed Forces, by the military, ng kanilang disiplina at ng kanilang (of their discipline and) dedication,” the actor said.

Nacino, who thanked the soldiers, also shared that their roles come with “a different sense of responsibility” to be portrayed and to be pulled-off.