Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz and newly-donned 2nd Lt. Matteo Guidicelli. (Contributed photo from Israel in the Philippines Facebook account)
MANILA -- Moved by his dedication to serve the country, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz commended actor Matteo Guidicelli for going through the Army reservist training and discussed plans for future partnerships.
"I am so happy to meet a role model for young Filipinos – 2nd Lt. Matteo Guidicelli," Ambassador Rafael Harpaz posted on his personal Twitter account.
Harpaz himself is an army reservist in Israel where military service is mandatory.
In an interview on Monday with their information officer, Harpaz and Guidicelli laid out plans to conduct community outreach events with children in the Philippines as well as marathon engagements in Israel.
Although he received flak from anti-government critics, Guidicelli pursued to join the Philippine Army and completed his training as Scout Ranger on June 27.
“I officially joined the Philippine Army today because I love my country. I would like to thank the people that have been very supportive. Exciting times ahead,” he said in one of his posts.
Prior to his entry as an Army reservist, Guidicelli also joined the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary in March alongside celebrities Erwan Heussaff and Nico Bolzico.
Actors Robin Padilla and Gerald Anderson will also follow in Guidicelli’s footsteps.
As more Filipinos inquire on joining the force, the Army Reserve Command, in their Facebook post, shared the basic requirements to enter the military:
• A Filipino citizen with good moral character
• Physically and mentally fit for military training
• At least attended high school (completed or not)
• Non-ROTC graduate
• At least 5 feet in height
• Eighteen years old but not more than 35 years old as they will compose the 1st Category Reserve
• A certified resident of a clustered locality where candidates are sourced. (PNA)
