FO1 Justine C. Silva, a University of Batangas Bachelor of Science in Criminology alumna and Admin Officer of Kilo Company–Fourth Battalion–NCR, successfully completed the Fire Basic Recruit Course (FBRC) on August 28, 2025.

Ms. Silva shared her journey as an FBRC trainee, recalling her deployment at the National Fire Training Institute (NFTI–Main Campus), Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City, Laguna.

She remembered both the recognition day and the struggles that tested her strength during training.

“Sadness challenged me in the first three days inside the campus. I got an emergency call from my father, telling me that Auntie Fe passed away,” she said, recalling how the memory brought her back to memories of dreaming of a complete family with Auntie Fe as her second mother.

“One time, I couldn’t resist crying in the middle of our running session,” she added. “The extensive training, with all its turbulence, made it difficult to keep up with the other trainees.”

The course provided hands-on instruction under their tactical officers. Ms. Silva acknowledged that the training had to be rigorous, as it prepared them for real-life scenarios and equipped them to serve citizens in times of crisis. She now carries the discipline and resilience the FBRC instilled in her.

Her achievement reflects her determination to serve her fellowmen–an embodiment of the true UBian spirit beyond the classroom.

The FBRC is the foundational training program for Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recruits in the Philippines. It combines academic and field training to develop knowledge and skills in fire prevention, emergency response, and public safety. Before her FBRC deployment, Ms. Silva first underwent the Recruit Orientation Program (ROP) as part of her initial training.