Story and Photos by Petty Officer Second Class Robert Clowney



CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AQUINALDO, QUEZON CITY, Philippines (April 27, 2009) – During the annual bilateral exercise, Balikatan 2009, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and U.S. military personnel gathered together for some friendly competition and fun, April 27.

This years’ competition took place at the camp’s fitness center and basketball gym, where a full court game complete with referees, score keepers and uniforms was the main event. In addition, several service members from both countries’ forces competed in team and singles table tennis.

“Each year, sporting events are held at all the camps during Balikatan,” said U.S. Marine Master Sgt. Sean Harrison, Headquarters Commandant for the Joint Task Force Headquarters and this year’s sporting events coordinator. “Past events have included soccer but, basketball is always on the menu because it is very popular in both countries.”

“Troops also get a chance for some cultural interaction,” Harrison added. “Sporting events always build camaraderie. Even on opposing teams, there is a common ground.”

For Philippine Air Force Airman First Class Renato Fernandez, Jr., those feelings were mutual.

“Events like this give us a chance to get to know our U.S. counterparts and build that common bond,” Fernandez said.

Even though this was a friendly competition, both teams wanted to come away victorious. During the first half of the basketball game, the U.S. team held the lead with 15 points. However, the Philippine heat and humidity seemed to take a toll on the U.S. service members as the end of the third quarter had the AFP ahead by 3. The game came down to heart. In the last 2 minutes of the game, the U.S. team took the lead with a score of 58-53 and held on to it as the clock ran out.

At the table tennis event, participants were few but competition was just as fierce as the U.S. side walked away victorious as well.

Table tennis player and Philippine Navy Commodore Ramon Espera, the BK’09 Co-Director said, “These sporting events improve our relations with each other. It makes us closer, and brings forth a different kind of bonding.”

BK ‘09 is an annual joint exercise between the AFP and the U.S. military and is its 25th series. The word Balikatan is a Tagalog word which when translated means, “Shoulder-to-Shoulder.”


090427-N-9156C-001
QUEZON CITY, Philippines- In the spirit of "Shoulder to Shoulder," the theme for exercise Balikatan 2009, Armed Forces of the Philippines service members and U.S. military personnel competed in a game of basketball and table tennis. BK ‘09 is a bilateral annual exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. Photo by Petty Officer Second Class Robert Clowney


090427-N-9156C-002
QUEZON CITY, Philippines- In the spirit of "Shoulder to Shoulder," the theme for exercise Balikatan 2009, Armed Forces of the Philippines service members and U.S. military personnel competed in a game of basketball and table tennis. BK ‘09 is a bilateral annual exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. Photo by Petty Officer Second Class Robert Clowney


090427-N-9156C-003
QUEZON CITY, Philippines- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Air Force Master Sgt. Francis Castromayor, AFP Legal Non Commissioned Officer, returns a serve. AFP and U.S. military personnel participating in Balikatan 2009 (BK09) joined together for a day of friendly competition by participating in basketball and table tennis. BK09 is a bilateral annual exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. Photo by Petty Officer Second Class Robert Clowney


090427-N-9156C-004
QUEZON CITY, Philippines- In the spirit of "Shoulder to Shoulder," the theme for exercise Balikatan 2009, Armed Forces of the Philippines service members and U.S. military personnel competed in a game of basketball and table tennis. BK ‘09 is a bilateral annual exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. Photo by Petty Officer Second Class Robert Clowney



090427-N-9156C-005
QUEZON CITY, Philippines - In the spirit of "Shoulder to Shoulder," the theme for exercise Balikatan 2009, Armed Forces of the Philippines service members and U.S. military personnel competed in a game of basketball and table tennis. BK ‘09 is a bilateral annual exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. Photo by Petty Officer Second Class Robert Clowney