Myla's parents wanted her to take up medicine or nursing in college but the dimunitive Boholana from Inabangga town was firm on her decision to join the US Army. Myla was born in Bohol and moved to Hawai’i in 1997.She joined the Army Reserve after graduating fromLeilehua. She attended Leeward Community College andplanned to attend Hawai'i Pacific University beforebeing called to active duty.Myla belonged to the US Army Reserve`s 203rdMilitary Intelligence Battalion, and had receivedmilitary training in 1998 at Fort Jackson in SouthCarolina, which is the largest and most active InitialEntry Training Center in the United States Army.
On November, 2005 Myla was called to serve in Iraq for a one-year combat duty. She didn't hesitate. Myla had the blood of Dagohoy, Bohol's local hero, running on her nerves, and serving in Iraq was a fulfillment of her dream to serve her new country, the US, in the battlefield.
On December 24, 2005, Myla has chosen not to call her mother yet to greet her advance merry Christmas because she was in the battlefield in Al Hawijah, northern Iraq. The 24-year-old Boholana was driving a Humvee vehicleduring a routine patrol when Iraqi insurgents firedrocket-propelled grenades, killing her instantly.
Flags fly at half-mast in theentire province of Bohol as the body of the Boholana U.S.Army Sgt. arrived at the airport in Tagbilaran City last Wednesday, accompanied by twouniformed US soldiers and non-uniformed personnel.
Hundreds of grieving Boholanos waited outside the airport as the plane that carried the body of Myla touched down at 9:20 a.m. Among those who waited for the Boholana soldier were her mother Estelita, Inabanga Mayor Josephine Jumamoy, officialsof the provincial overnment, students, relatives andfriends.
"I am so happy that she is finally here," said theteary-eyed Estelita, who saw the body of her slaindaughter for the first time after Myla was killed in Al Hawijah in northern Iraq.
"She is a real hero. She has dedicated her life toserve the people," Mayor Jumamoy said, as the crowdcarried banners welcoming the arrival of Inabanga's favorite daughter.Myla's body was brought to a local funeral parlor here.
US military officials were expected to arrive inInabanga next week for Myla's burial where she wouldbe given full military honors. She will be buried nextto her father's grave.
Myla has proven once again that there are still Filipinos who are willing to offer their lives in the service of their fellowmen. And though Bohol lost a brave remnant of Dagohoy, Myla's name will forever be itched in the mind and hearts of the Boholanos as the brave Inabangga girl who offered her life in service of her country.
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