"Freedom isn't free," U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Arvin Layugan told Mike Enriquez of Philippine radio station DZBB 594KHZ during a Feb. 27, interview broadcast to millions of listeners while speaking about the 70th Commemoration of the re-taking of Corregidor.

"People have made sacrifices and we are here to honor that," said Layugan, a Hawaii Army National Guard Soldier and member of the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) exercises division. Layugan traveled back to the country where he was born and raised, to attend the March 2nd Corregidor ceremony.

The annual ceremony honors Filipino, American Soldiers and allies that overcame Japanese invaders in 1945. As a Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Soldier and exercise planner for USARPAC, the ceremony has deeper meaning of a long-standing relationship between his homeland and home.

"The strong alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines has contributed to peace, stability and security in the Pacific for more than 60 years," said Layugan. "We were allies and partners then, and we remain allies and partners today," he added.

Layugan is in a unique position to see the U.S.-Philippine military partnership and many others as he plans and oversees USARPAC military training and exercise engagements throughout the Pacific. United States Pacific Command's (PACOM) most enduring exercise in the Philippines, Balikatan, a Filipino word meaning 'shoulder-to-shoulder.'

Balikatan begins its 31st iteration in mid-April and is an example of the partnership Layugan contributes to daily.

"It's important for us to conduct these exercises so we learn from each other," said Layugan during his interview at DZBB. "When something happens in the Pacific or there is a disaster, like Yolanda, that recently happened here, all of us will be prepared," he added.

Layugan was speaking about super Typhoon "Yolanda" (international name: Haiyan), one of the strongest typhoons on record to strike the Philippines which caused the deaths of over 6,000 and injured some 28,000 Filipino residents.

"We train together, shoulder-to-shoulder, so when the next disaster arises in the Pacific, we will be prepared and ready to handle it together," said Layugan. "Repetition is the best training that's why we (U.S. Military) conduct so many engagements in the Pacific region annually."

Layugan has seen his share of danger as a two-time Iraq deployment veteran with the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment, Wahiawa, Hawaii, but humbly believes that his contributions pale in comparison to the Filipino and American Soldiers that gave their lives during the Battle of Manila and the re-taking of Corregidor.

"I'm proud of my service in Iraq and we lost many good Soldiers and allies, but my service was nothing compared to what the American-Filipino allies experienced here in 1945," said Layugan. "I honor their sacrifice and am honored to have that Filipino military heritage as part of who I am and carry that