The AFP National Reservist Convention CY 2025 and the ARRAPI (Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Incorporated) 2nd General Membership Conference marked a milestone as more than 4,500 Philippine reservists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao gathered at One Ayala Mall in Makati.
Apart from those who attended on site, an additional 48,000 reservists nationwide participated virtually via Zoom, making it one of the largest reservist assemblies in Philippine history.
Jointly hosted by ARRAPI and the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Force Development (OJ9), the convention was led by ARRAPI Chairman Col. Michael “Mikee” Romero and AFP OJ9 Chief Maj. Gen. Gerold G. Gagan, with Secretary of National Defense Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as Guest of Honor.
Held under the theme “Adapting to an Evolving Security Environment: Reservists at the Forefront of Cooperative Defense,” the event highlighted the expanding role of reservists in national defense, disaster response, and community resilience.
“There are moments in our nation’s history when ordinary Filipinos rise to do extraordinary things – when disasters strike and communities need help,” Romero said. “In those moments, help arrives not with fanfare, but with boots on the ground and hearts ready to serve. From Batanes to Sulu, our reservists stand ready to protect, respond, and help our people recover.”
Maj. Gen. Gagan described the convention as historic and record-breaking, noting that the strong physical and virtual turnout reflects the growing professionalism and readiness of the reserve force. He emphasized that the scale of participation reaffirms the reservists’ role as a critical pillar of national defense, disaster response, and community resilience.
The convention also featured international participation from the United States National Guard, led by The Adjutant General of Hawaii, Maj. Gen. Philip Mallory, and The Adjutant General of Guam, Col. Watson, accompanied by 30 U.S. National Guard members, underscoring strong defense cooperation and interoperability.
The event concluded with a renewed call for unity, readiness, and active citizen participation, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of Filipino reservists to serve the nation whenever and wherever they are needed.
