MAKATI CITY, Philippines – Philippine Army Col. Virgilio Noora has been away from his family for most of his 37 years in service. Now, as he counts down the days to his retirement, the 56-year-old long-time serviceman is contemplating one question that his wife recently asked: “Will you work again?”
“Para sa akin kasi matunog ‘yung mga tanong ‘anong gagawin mo sa buhay mo after ng retirement?’ So sabi ko, personally, meron naman akong pwedeng paglaanan ng atensyon o oras. Opportunities only knock once,” said Noora, currently Acting Deputy Inspector General of the Philippine Army.
Noora is among 42 retiring soldiers who underwent an intensive 5-day career training under Saludo sa Serbisyo’s Career Assistance Program, an expansion of the long-running Ayala Corporation program that honors the country’s uniformed services with life-uplifting services and benefits.
During the training, Ayala’s talent management experts gave the first batch of soldiers from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force lessons on creating their CVs, how to show up for job interviews, professional networking, and career matching.
These are skills that many soldiers lack, said Maj. Eva Dapanas, who is taking optional retirement after 20 years in service. She shared that officers like her would go straight from military academy to active service after graduation, never experiencing the usual hiring process.
Through the Saludo sa Serbisyo career training, she said she and her fellow participants gained renewed confidence to go out into the job market again.
“Di naman kami nakaranas mag-apply for work before. Never. ‘Yung CV, iba kasi ‘yung [format]. So, paano namin i-translate ito into corporate? Sobrang nakatulong talaga siya (Saludo sa Serbisyon training). Kasi first time ko ‘to ma-encounter,” she said.
Dapanas was at first reluctant to join the training but decided to participate when she learned it was to be facilitated by the Ayala Group. She had been set on staying at home upon retirement later this year to take care of her two-year-old child, but after going through the Ayala training, she is opening herself to other possibilities.
“Natulungan kami magkaroon ng confidence. ‘Yung sa interviews pa lang, ‘yung mga tips, dos and don’ts sa interviews, di naman namin alam ‘yung mga ganyan ‘di ba. Sobrang nag-enjoy kami,” said Dapanas.
Both Noora and Dapanas hope that other soldiers will get to experience the Saludo sa Serbisyo career shift training, saying it expands the choices they have after leaving the service.
During graduation rites of the Saludo sa Serbisyo Career Assistance Program, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rommel Roldan encouraged participants to face civilian life with the same courage they’ve had throughout their service.
“You have already proven many times over that you are capable of overcoming uncertainty. Your years in uniform taught you resilience, adaptability, and, of course, the courage to face the unknown. These same qualities will serve you well as you begin another journey in life,” he said.
Ayala Corporation chief human resources officer Francisco Romero Milán, meanwhile, emphasized how beginning again does not mean the retiring soldiers are starting from square one.
“We truly hope this program assures you that you are not starting over. You are starting from experience, you are starting from depth…. Your uniforms may also change, but the call to lead, serve, and build remains the same.”
For retired General Emmanuel Bautista, former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, who is now Ayala Corporation Head of Security Management, the transition from the military to civilian service should be seamless.
“There is life after the service,” the former military chief told the graduates. “Sa totoo lang, you have been prepared all your life. Your training in the Armed Forces—the culture, our knowledge, our thought processes—in fact, prepared you for whatever lies ahead. What is critical now is you are able to adapt in a new environment,” he said.
Now in its ninth year, the Saludo sa Serbisyo program provides uniformed personnel, civilian employees, and their families with easier access to Ayala Group services that help them lead thriving lives. These include discounts for house and car ownership, health and wellness support, livelihood training, and career assistance.
