Philippine, US service members take it to the hole

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Kirby | Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. forces compete in a basketball game in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines as a way to give the men and women a chance to get to know each other and become closer outside of work and training settings. Starting in the beginning of Sept., members of both forces have been working hard and continuously to complete engineering civic action and cooperative health engagement projects they are involved in as part of the community service projects taking place here. This basketball game represented an opportunity to bond in a way they had not had yet up to this point. The AFP members are with 3rd Marine Brigade, and the U.S. service members are with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony J. Kirby/Released)  

PALAWAN/OZAMIS, PHILIPPINES

09.25.2014

Story by Sgt. Anthony Kirby 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

PALAWAN, Philippines – Sports are one of the most common way for people to build upon or start new relationships. While the competition and drive to win brings separate teams together, the overall experience provides the chance for those who were just battling each other for victory to embrace in friendship after.

Philippine Marines and sailors played exhibition games of basketball against U.S. Marines and sailors in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines as a way to give the men and women a chance to get to know each other and become closer outside of work and training settings.

The members of the AFP are with 3rd Marine Brigade, and the U.S. service members are with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Starting in the beginning of Sept., members of both forces have been working hard and continuously to complete engineering civic action and cooperative health engagement projects they are involved in as part of humanitarian and civic assistance program projects taking place here.

The ENCAP projects improve local infrastructure with new and repaired buildings while the CHEs focus on sharing best medical practices and assisting the local Filipino community with medical supplies and free treatment.

With all the time and work that goes into all of these projects, it is sometimes difficult to get to know new people in a more personal way, but basketball provided just that for several service members, according to U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kenzie J. Moore.

“It’s good to take a half day off once in a while to do something recreational,” said Moore, an independent duty corpsman with 3rd MEB. “It’s a good break especially for the [Philippine and U.S. service members] working at the ENCAPs.”

The first game the forces played was a “fastest to 40 points” set-up with two teams of five people. At the end of the game, the members of AFP came out victorious with a score of 40-33.

“It was a good game,” said Philippine Marine Capt. Reyson Talingdan, chief military operations officer with 3rd Marine Brigade, AFP. “Philippine and U.S. service members are very competitive, and this game was important to build our camaraderie and friendships.”

Whether members were on the winning or losing side, the games served their purpose by tightening the bond between the two forces. For some of the U.S. service members, it has been the highlight of their time in the Philippines, according to Moore.

“I feel it was a great experience getting to represent, in a sense, the U.S. forces when it comes to playing sports,” said Moore. “It was a great opportunity to be a part of this game, and increase our friendship.”

• Date Taken: 09.25.2014
• Date Posted: 09.30.2014 00:09
• Story ID: 143712
• Location: PALAWAN/OZAMIS, PH