Firefighter's tale

With wildfires raging in Southern California, "Pasko Sa Enero" first-prize winner and Guimaras deputy provincial fire officer Danilo Animas was asked why he chose his profession during our Christmas Contest awarding program in Molito, Alabang, last Sunday.

- By JOAQUIN M. HENSON

"Isa sa mga motivation ko ay service to the community, our country, those in need and God," said Animas. "If you look at the salary, 'di naman masyadong mataas pero iba ang feeling kung makakatulong ka sa kapwa." Animas said there were pockets of wild forest fires in Benguet early last year but was contained. He cited several factors that cause the spread of wildfires, including wind, weather and climate.

Animas, 52, said firefighting wasn't on his mind when he took up nursing and environmental planning at La Salle Bacolod. After graduation came the chance to join the force in Calatrava, a town in northern Negros Occidental. Two years later, Animas was assigned to Guimaras where he settled down and raised a family. He married Glyzl Tejada 12 years ago and they have three children Danzl, 9, Daniela, 6, and Danilo, 3, all studying at Guimaras Baptist Academy in San Miguel, Jordan.