IT’S not every day that a person gets invited to the White House, much less be honored by the President of the United States himself.
Well, that happened to Giovanni “Giovy” Balingit, a Filipino officer in the US Navy whose name shall be included in the list of important people in history who have dedicated their lives to public service.
Former President George W. Bush singled out Balingit in a speech on volunteerism in Washington from among several individuals and organizations, naming him the recipient of the 2007 Spirit of Hope Award, the same honor given to former Defense Secretary William Cohen, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, astronaut John Glenn, and President George Bush Sr.
A native of Angeles City, Pampanga, the 40-year-old Navy chief petty officer was in his senior year taking up Business Administration at the Holy Angel University when he applied to join the US Navy. He was then an active member of the school’s swimming, badminton, and tennis varsity teams.
His family owned an office machine and equipment business. He thought he had a promising career ahead of him. But fate would lead him on to greater things he never imagined.
“I initially didn’t want to leave because I wanted to work so that my parents could take a break,” Balingit said. “And I didn’t want to be away from Menchie, my girlfriend of seven years.” His girlfriend attended the same university in Angeles City.
But his father told him that he should explore his options and suggested that he enlist in the US Navy for better professional and financial development.
Despite his trepidations, Balingit left the country in May 1991. He describes that point in his life as a “blessing in disguise” because Mt. Pinatubo erupted a month later, or shortly after he left for the States. It caused several businesses to close down, including his family’s. His wife, then pregnant with their child, and his relatives moved to neighboring Sta. Ana town and went back later after the eruption. In July, the child was born. It was a girl.
Out of 345 applicants, Balingit was one of six who made it. He first reported at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California and later to Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
“It was very tough,” he said. “I had to go through a series of tests —written, interviews, and physical. The main culture change for me was the military life.”
When he got accepted into the Navy, Balingit said he didn’t just want to fit in. He wanted to make a difference.
He graduated at the top of his class, excelled in naval aviation, and was advanced to an E-5 status with only 19 months of service. That would be the beginning of his unparalleled track record.
His life in the US Navy wasn’t always smooth sailing. Part of his job was being assigned to different places and countries, sometimes not even knowing for how long.
In 1995, he reported for duty at the Naval Air Facility in Atsugi, Japan. There, he was promoted to First Class Petty Officer. Only this time, he was joined by his wife and daughter.
They stayed in Japan for seven years. “The main hardship that I’ve experienced during extended ship deployments was being away from my family. But we enjoyed our time in Japan,” he said.
‘Zero discrepancies’
An even bigger challenge was waiting for him back in the US. On a historic day in March 2003, President Bush declared war on Iraq, and Balingit was deployed to the USS Constellation to serve in the so-called “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
It was the most testing experience he has ever had, he said, recalling that each moment was filled with uncertainty and danger.
“We were the first to execute air strikes, and the tension on board was extremely elevated due to the possibility of a biological or chemical counter-attack from (Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein.”
But he did not allow the perils of war to diminish his courage.
While on his mission, Balingit was responsible for ensuring that all aircraft equipment were well maintained and ready during and after flight operations. His dedication to his assigned task resulted in a consistent record of “zero discrepancies (meaning, the aircraft, parts and all, were in perfect running order).”
Among others, it earned him several Global War on Terrorism Service and National Defense medals.
One time, he led several volunteers to help hundreds of homeless veterans to provide them with their basic needs such as food, medicine, mental health assistance, job counseling, referral, “and most importantly, companionship and camaraderie.”
Balingit was instrumental in responding to the erosion problems brought about by the 2007 wildfires in San Diego. In his goal to “promote a positive presence in the community,” he also volunteered with the Red Cross to help displaced families and assisted in the Salvation Army.
Bob Hope award
“I do this for the simple satisfaction of being able to help the needy and making a difference in society,” he said. “I think it was the right thing to do, and it makes me feel really good inside.”
All of his efforts did not go unrecognized. In 2007, he was conferred the Captain Harry T. Jenkins Award for his contributions to the military and civilian community in San Diego.
A year later, he was given the Spirit of Hope Award for his role in “the improvement of sailors’ quality of life for an extended period of time”—a prestigious award established in 1997 in honor of the late Bob Hope, the comedian known for entertaining American soldiers assigned overseas and for humanitarian work. This was why he was overwhelmed when he first found out about his nomination. “Never in my entire life have I thought that this would happen,” he said. Hope’s granddaughter Miranda Hope presented the award to Balingit.
On April 27, Balingit received the GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) Military Service Award for Drug and Alcohol Prevention in a special ceremony held in Washington, DC.
The top US admirals, generals, and senior enlisted leaders of the US Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard were the award presenters along with Tony Nicely, GEICO’s chief executive officer.
Together with other GEICO awardees, he was given the honor of laying a wreath on the monument of “Tomb of the Unknown” at the Arlington National Cemetery, so-called because it is dedicated to unidentified American servicemen who died in the last world war.
Captain Michael Kelly, commanding officer of the Fleet Readiness Center in San Diego, was all praise.
“Chief Balingit is my number one of 26 highly competitive chief petty officers. His sustained superior performance and the countless hours of selfless community service he has dedicated throughout his entire Navy career significantly contributed to the increased mission readiness and overall success of our nation.” Kelly describes Balingit in his nomination letter for the award.
Community involvement
In the last 18 years, Balingit and his family have lived in San Diego. But he will soon be reporting to Washington for a three-year duty.
Despite all this, Balingit keeps himself grounded and never forgets to look back.
Going back to the Philippines for good will always be a possibility in the future, he said.
“I would like to tell my fellow homeboys and homegirls to always believe in themselves, do their best in whatever endeavor they choose, and always get involved with the community.”
It is not only in America where they can fulfill their dreams, he said. “It is any place where they can be happy with what they are doing.”
