The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) marked its 76th founding anniversary on November 7, 2026, at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, with a ceremony that honored a 97-year-old veteran as the Oldest Living Warrior and recognized the Corps' top-performing units and personnel for the year.
At a glance
- Event: Philippine Marine Corps 76th founding anniversary, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, November 7, 2026
- Guest of Honor and Speaker: Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr.; AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete also attended
- Oldest Living Warrior: Master Sergeant Hufana PN(M), 97
- Best Brigade: 2nd Marine Brigade "Team Kalasag"
- Best Battalion: 4th Marine Rifle Battalion "Aim High"
- Officer of the Year: 1st Lt. Justine O. Moriles PN(M)
- Enlisted Personnel of the Year: SSg Joel S. Joaquin PN(M)
- Bronze Cross Medal awardee: Capt. Angelica O. Faustino PN(M)
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. served as Guest of Honor and Speaker at the event, according to a press release issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office (PAO-AFP) on November 8, 2026. AFP Chief of Staff General Antonio G. Nafarrete and PMC Commandant Brigadier General Bob R. Apostol PN(M) also attended.
97-Year-Old Master Sergeant Recognized as Oldest Living Warrior
The celebration included the recognition of Master Sergeant Hufana PN(M), 97 years old, as the Oldest Living Warrior of the Philippine Marine Corps. Defense Secretary Teodoro, General Nafarrete, and Commandant Apostol honored him during the ceremony.
Best Brigade and Battalion of the Year
The 2nd Marine Brigade, known by its unit designation "Team Kalasag," received the Best Brigade of the Year Award. The citation was conferred by Defense Secretary Teodoro and AFP Chief of Staff Nafarrete during the awarding ceremony.
The 4th Marine Rifle Battalion "Aim High" was named Best Battalion of the Year and received its award from the same officials.
Officer and Enlisted Personnel of the Year
First Lieutenant Justine O. Moriles PN(M) was named Officer of the Year, with the award presented by Teodoro and Nafarrete at the ceremony.
Staff Sergeant Joel S. Joaquin PN(M) received the Enlisted Personnel of the Year award. That award was presented by Teodoro, Nafarrete, Vice Admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Q. Ezpeleta — Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy — and Commandant Apostol, according to the AFP release.
Bronze Cross Medal Presented to Captain Faustino
Captain Angelica O. Faustino PN(M) was congratulated by Defense Secretary Teodoro and AFP Chief of Staff Nafarrete as a Bronze Cross Medal awardee.
The AFP's PAO release noted that military awards were presented to other deserving personnel as well, in recognition of their contributions to the organization.
Retired Marines Join the Celebration
Retired Philippine Marine Corps personnel were also present at the anniversary event and joined Defense Secretary Teodoro and AFP Chief of Staff Nafarrete for a group photograph, according to the official photo captions released by the PAO-AFP.
The AFP statement described the celebration as honoring "the dedication, professionalism, and accomplishments of the Philippine Marine Corps," reaffirming the Corps' role in safeguarding national sovereignty and supporting the AFP's defense mission.
Photo credit: Photos by SSg Ambay PA / PAOAFP