Ariel Querubin, famously known as the “Push-Up Man,” was in Cebu last Tuesday to attend the closing ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2024, lending his support to youth development, sports, and fitness.
Querubin, a retired colonel holding the distinction of being one of the most highly decorated officers in Philippine military history with 49 medals, engaged with young athletes, sharing his personal journey and emphasizing the importance of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork.
“The youth are the future of our nation,” Querubin said during an interview at Casino Español. “Through sports, we learn values essential for personal and national growth.”
Querubin also took the opportunity to address pressing national issues such as inflation, unemployment, and tensions in the West Philippine Sea. He called for effective measures to curb inflation and boost job creation. “Inflation impacts the everyday lives of Filipinos. We need to implement policies that stabilize prices and create jobs,” he stated.
On the matter of the West Philippine Sea, Querubin underscored the importance of defending the country’s territorial integrity, relating it to the growing need for patriotism among the youth. “We must stand firm in protecting our maritime rights. Reviving a sense of patriotism is essential, especially among our youth, to ensure that future generations are ready to defend our nation,” Querubin asserted.
Querubin also spoke about the show of unity from former Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) from the Arroyo, Aquino, Duterte, and Marcos administrations. Nearly two thousand ex-generals, officers, and personnel officially endorsed his Senate candidacy. Querubin is widely recognized for his extraordinary bravery and unwavering dedication to the country. As a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military honour for exceptional courage and self-sacrifice, Querubin’s decorated military career and commitment to public service distinguish him as a candidate capable of bridging diverse political perspectives and fostering unity.
Querubin acknowledged the historical significance of Club Filipino, a site of many transformative events in the nation’s history. He reflected on the diverse political journeys of those present, mentioning key events such as Martial Law, the EDSA revolutions, various coups, and the presidencies from Marcos to Marcos Jr. “Truth be told, all of us here stood on different sides in many pivotal moments of our nation’s history,” Querubin noted. “And yet, we gather here today not as allies of many political factions but as brothers in arms who have once and always will put our lives on the line for our children, families, and fellow Filipinos. We stand united in our service to the Philippines, in our service to God.”
Querubin accepted the challenge to serve the nation again by running for the Senate in 2025, highlighting the critical need to address corruption, poverty, and inflation. The retired colonel also emphasized the urgency of securing the country’s sovereignty against internal and external threats. “We find ourselves at a crossroads,” Querubin stated. “The bullying in the West Philippine Sea threatens our sovereignty, while the proliferation of illegal POGOs brings social issues that affect our communities. And the call for the modernization of our military—to secure our nation and uphold our sovereignty with the respect it deserves—is nothing short of urgent and vital for our survival as a free nation.”
Querubin also underscored the need to strengthen the Filipino’s collective spirit of patriotism and sacrifice. “My vision is a nation of heroes. Isang bayang handang magsakripisyo at kayang ipaglaban ang Pilipino mula sa mga mang-aapi.”
At the age of 68, Querubin outperforms athletes in push-up challenges, managing 300 non-stop push-ups in under 12 minutes—a feat that few can accomplish.
About Ret. Col. Ariel Oliva Querubin
Retired Colonel Ariel Oliva Querubin, hailing from La Union, made his way to Baguio to attend the Philippine Military Academy, graduating as part of the Matapat Class of 1979. He served the Armed Forces for more than 30 years and now contributes to the private sector. Querubin furthered his studies at the School of Military Intelligence in Queensland, Australia, the Australian Defence College, and the University of Canberra.
He is most famously known for his heroics in Lanao Del Norte in 2000, where he led a military operation with 117 Philippine Marines against 300 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters. For this, Querubin was conferred the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ highest honour, the Medal of Valor. His impressive military and professional career can be summed up in the various awards given to him, including the Distinguished Conduct Star, two Distinguished Service Stars, seven Gold Cross Medals, two Gawad sa Kaunlaran awards, two Bronze Cross Medals, twelve Military Merit Medals, a Parachutist Badge, the Tawid Award, the Cavalier Award for Naval Operations, and the Saranay Award, the highest award given by the Province of La Union to its outstanding constituents. Querubin is considered the most bemedaled soldier in the nation’s history, a true patriot, and a living hero.
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