Col. Benito De Leon of 104rth IB: Celebrating his 49th Birthday

March 21 this year is the 49th Birthday of Col. Benito de Leon of 104rth Infantry Brigade.

This day was also the day when former president Joseph Estrada declared an ‘all out war ‘ against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front after a land conflict over 24-hectares ended into a siege of Kauswgan town led by MILF commander Abduallah Macapaar alias Bravo.

It is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 285 days remaining until the end of the year. In astrology, the day of the Equinox is the first full day of the sign of Aries. It is also the traditional first day of the astrological year.

Although of different years, Col De Leon has similar birth date with Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer; Benito Juárez, Mexican statesman and national hero; Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky, Russian composer; Heinz "Pritzl" Bär, German fighter pilot; Charmaine Dragun, Australian news anchor; Mandy Capristo, German Singer (Monrose).

March 21 is also Naw-Rúz –a Holy day for adherents of the Bahá'í Faith and first day of the Bahá'í calendar. Under Bahá'í calendar it is first day of the first month, the month of Splendor.

March 21 is also Independence Day of Namibia; Harmony day of Australia; Truant’s Day of Poland; Human Rights day of South Africa. In Mexico, it’s Benito Juarez Day, a Fiesta Patria. It’s the third day of Quinquatria in Ancient Rome held in honor of Minerva.

March 21 is also World Poetry Day and the much advocated International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of the United Nations. But in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen its their Mother’s Day.

There were some quotations on this day, such as:

Friday, March 21, 2003-Quote: "If you have to ask, it's not Shock & Awe" -- the Pentagon on opening stage of attack

Sunday, March 21, 2004- Quote: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, March 21, 2005- Quote: "I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface." -- Stephen Sondheim

Tuesday, March 21, 2006-Quote: "Alcatraz, the federal prison with a name like the blare of a trombone, (is) a black molar in the jawbone of the nation's prison system." – Thomas E. Gaddis, Birdman of Alcatraz

This day, Col. De Leon sang "What a Wonderful World" with peace advocates who were on a conference at MCC of Lanao del Norte. He listened to his soldiers who serenaded him at 4 a.m. and to songs "Imagine" and "Birthday song" at 3 p.m. He also sang "Refrain" of Jose Marie Chan at night during his birthday celebration at the brigade with guests. He celebrated his birthday with others birthdays: that of Capt. Alonto Maamo, Lt. Col. Jerry Barrientos and those soldiers not named but have blown their candles too.

March 21 is also the birthday of my father who already passed away from this earth and has returned to God’s home. I was in my 3rd year of law when he ended his vacation on earth.
My father's first name is Victorino but everyone also called him "Ben."