CHEERING up combatants wounded in action in Marawi City– Pepsi Independent Director Rafael Alunan III (3rd from left) shares Pepsi products to wounded in action soldiers recovering at the Army General Hospital in Taguig City, Metro Manila. With him are (from left) Lt. May Gonzalez and Maj. Herbert Cinco joins the ceremony, along with Pepsi Vice President JikaDalupan.  

Some 150 Army soldiers who were wounded in the protracted armed conflict in Marawi City in Mindanao had an afternoon of fun and exchange of pleasantries recently with unexpected visitors, among them beauty pageant contestants at the Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City where they are currently recuperating.

The event, organized by the Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) in collaboration with the Army Scout Rangers, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI), and Miss Philippines Pageant, was meant to bring joy and entertainment to the injured troops, while thanking them for the sacrifice they made for the country.

PCPPI Vice President for Corporate Affairs & Communications Jika Dalupan cited RCM member Rafael Alunan III for walking the extra mile to spearhead the affair as a collective appreciation for the soldiers’ gallantry and heroism to safeguard national security fundamental to industrial and commercial sustainability, and the Filipino way of life in general.

The RCM was represented by about 15 past and present officers, while Pepsi’s delegation consisted mainly by Dalupan and Corporate Affairs Senior Manager Rondell Torres. The Ms. Philippines Pageant brought along two candidates from Zamboanga and Butuan City  who gamely interacted with the troops, some of them still in wheelchairs.

The RCM rendered some musical numbers and gave away token/cash gifts to the September birthday celebrators. For its part, Pepsi catered with soft drinks and snacks provided by its own production line.