Philippine soldier, former boxer relishes opportunity to study here

T. Anthony Bell Sgt. Maximino Tabangcora has been in the Philippine Army since 1999. He has spent more than half of that time representing the service as a boxer, reaching world-class status. He has an impressive list of achievements to include winning a silver medal at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.

FORT LEE, VA. (July 18, 2013) -- Sgt. Maximino Tabangcora III has served his country in more ways than one.

The 32-year-old father of three is currently an ordnance soldier in the Philippine army.

But Tabangcora’s earlier days in the military – a career that started in 1999 – weren’t spent preparing uniforms or training for maneuvers. They were focused on the confines of a boxing ring where he attained world-class status and represented the army in national and international competitions.

Tabangcora is attending the Quartermaster School’s Supply Specialist Course here and nurturing a rare opportunity to study outside his country.

“It’s a big honor for me to come to the U.S.,” said the native of the North Cotabato province, “especially considering that so few are chosen to come.”

Tabangcora said he went through a rigorous process for the opportunity to train here.

“We have undergone so many eliminations and boards,” he said.

Good proficiency ratings and good performance in schools are also factors in determining who attends U.S. military schools, he added.

High standards of performance have been a hallmark of Tabangcora since the start of his military career that began as a boxer in a special-duty status. Fighting in the middleweight division (160 pounds), he captured a bronze medal in the 2001 Southeast Asian Games (SEA), a multi-national event that serves as a warm-up to the Olympic Games. He also finished second in the Philippine national championships two years later.

Tabangcora’s fighting aspirations hit a snag in 2003. He did not make the SEA team and missed out on the Olympic trials leading to the 2004 Athens games.

Returning to regular duty status shortly after the games, Tabangcora made his way back into the ring in late 2006, fighting as a light heavyweight (175 pounds). That return resulted in an achievement that highlighted his boxing career – a silver medal earned at the 2007 SEA games. He stepped away from boxing for good the following year.

Tabangcora has since taken up taekwondo and captured a heavyweight gold medal in the 2012 interservice championships.

Of his once-in-a-lifetime visit to the United States, Tabangcora said the language barrier has been a challenge, especially in school, because he isn’t accustomed to the way most Americans speak.

“I understand English, but I may not understand the way Americans speak English,” he said, noting many citizens make greater use of informal expressions and phrases. “It’s different in the Philippines. We don’t speak slang.”

Tabangcora’s lack of English comprehension,hasn’t, however, clouded his view of all the country offers. He said he has been taken with the vastness of the land and the warmth of its citizenry.

“I’m overwhelmed at how beautiful this country is and its people,” he said. “I see that Americans are very courteous -- they greet you everywhere you go.”

Tabangcora said that consideration includes his classmates, who have been especially helpful as he acclimates to his new surroundings.

“They have been very supportive and accommodating,” he said.

Now beyond the halfway point of the two-month supply course, Tabangcora said he has visited various points of interest in the local area as well as in other states. A Filipino-American Soldier and his family, he said, have acted as informal sponsors and have been more than happy to act as guides and help him to better understand American culture.

Unfortunately, there are times when students lack sponsors. The International Military Student Office at the Army Logistics University directly supports all international students attending courses within Sustainment Center of Excellence schools.

Becky Joyner, IMSO’s Field Studies program manager, said sponsors are always needed to support the needs of students from roughly 70 countries. Their stay here, she said, is greatly enhanced by volunteers – primary escorts and social sponsors – who act as knowledgeable ambassadors of goodwill and who embody American ideals and principles.

Those who are interested in supporting the Field Studies or Social Sponsor program can contact Joyner at (804) 765-8159.

The actual story can be found in the Fort Lee newspaper, the Traveller, at: http://www.fortleetraveller.com/.

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