Major General Tristan Kison
Maj. Gen. Tristan Kison, Blessed Brother Arnould Reche FSC Distinguished Alumni Award for Public Service. For him having a decorated career is not just for personal satisfaction but a reflection of his dedication as a public servant.
In his heyday as a Lasallian student, he was a consistent member of the midget varsity of the basketball team and an active member of religious organizations such as the La Salle Youth Action and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, which is similar to the Catechetical and Religious Emissaries or CARE.
Right from the start, his calling for military entailed sacrifice. He let go of the chance to finish his degree in De La Salle University – Manila to enter the Philippine Military Academy. Right after his graduation in 1979, he was immediately assigned to be the Platoon Leader of “A” Company of the 34th Infantry Battalion in Jolo, Sulu. He said this first assignment really shaped the soldier in him. There he learned the lesson why he chose a career in the military in the first place and learned to deal with the natives who where born into the “gun culture.” In Sulu, he prevented the bloodshed of two warring factions, equipped with high-powered guns and 81 mm mortars. He successfully upheld his conviction of preserving life.
From battling warring factions, to battling illegal loggers. In 2003, he became a Battalion Commander of the 1stInfantry Battalion in Laguna and the 4th District of Quezon as his area of responsibility. He faced the challenge of protecting the environment. During his tenure in Laguna and Quezon, he was responsible for the seizure of at least 20 trucks of illegally cut logs and the closure of no less than four saw mills.
Self-sacrifice once again took center stage in him when, on Dec 2004, typhoon “Winnie” ravaged Real, Infanta and Gen Nakar of Quezon Province, leaving behind 607 dead, 395 missing and 566 injured. Seeing the devastation, he knew they could not afford to wait for the national government to extend help. Using his meager resources, he immediately set up an evacuation center and a temporary hospital with his own military doctors.
But more than sacrificing his own resources, it was his time with his family that was most painful for him to let go. He missed celebrating his daughter’s 6th birthday during the time he was most busy with aiding the typhoon victims. He says, “It was difficult to know that they were celebrating back at home and I wasn’t there. I would have loved to share ice cream and cake with her on her special day. Only, countless other people needed my help.” He even had to miss out spending Christmas with his family in the US to oversee rehabilitation efforts in Quezon. He adds that it was difficult to explain to his daughter at that time why he couldn’t be with her, but he trusts that someday, it would all make sense to her.
After his stint in Quezon, he was designated to be the AFP’s Public Information Officer until his career took on a whole new level when he dabbled in diplomacy and international relations. In 2000, he was posted as the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the Republic of Singapore. After one year in the post, he was awarded Outstanding Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Post of the Year. When he came back to the Philippines in 2003, he was assigned as the Camp Commander of Fort Bonifacio. He aspired to instill the same level of order and discipline in the metropolis’ military base and became instrumental in making Fort Bonifacio the way it is now.
He has received six Distinguished Service Stars, eight Military Merit Medals, 25 Military Commendation Medals, a Gawad sa Kaunlaran Award and countless other commendations.
At the time of the awarding, he is currently on his 32nd year in military service. He is in command of all AFP Forces in the National Capital Region as Commanding General of the NCRCOM and plays a big role in protecting the seat of government. He can proudly say that he has lived up to the ideals he has possessed ever since he was a young soldier in Sulu more than 30 years ago – self sacrifice, respect for human life, country and people.
He said, “For awhile, I thought I was deprived of the luxuries I could have enjoyed in another profession. But then I really made the choice to give up the finer things to dedicate my life serving in the military. This is a sacrifice that I hope would bring out a big difference.” Spoken like a true Lasallian.