Volunteer Champion 2022: To Serve And Protect With Atty. Rester John Nonato

iVolunteer PH

Jul 31

Every year, iVolunteer recognizes outstanding volunteers who exemplify the organization's core values: Integrity, Professionalism, Inclusivity, Nationalism, and Change Leadership. Each of them is a living proof that everyday heroes exist.

The 2022 iVolunteer Champion for Nationalism is Atty. Rester John Nonato, a lawyer at the Nonato-Luciano Law Office in Cebu City. He volunteers as an Active Reservist (with the rank of Major) in the Judge Advocate General Services Reserve of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and as a Coast Guard Auxiliarist (with the rank of Lieutenant Commander). In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, building scale models, and caring for koi fishes. Volunteers like Atty. Rester exemplify an ordinary Filipino's love and commitment to his nation.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is responsible for protecting the nation's sovereignty, respecting its constitution, and defending its territory. The Judge Advocate General Services (JAGS) is a unit within AFP mandated to organize, train and enhance AFP's competence to offer legal services to military units. This team is made up of patriotic and committed lawyers who volunteer their time and skills to handle AFP's many legal challenges. As a passionate patriot who cares and values his nation, Atty. Rester has been part of this unit since 2021 since this is a relatively new unit of the AFP.

Prior to this unit assignment, Atty. Rester was assigned to the 7th Regional Community Defense Group of the Philippine Army during the years 2000 to 2016 and to the 5th Technical Administrative Services Brigade for the years 2016 to 2022. Currently, he volunteers as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations and Personnel, and the Adjutant of the 5th JAGS Reserve Group—a unit composed of reservist lawyers in the Visayas region.

Atty. Rester started volunteering at a young age by joining the volunteer works of his father who was active in Rotary Club. But it was his grandfather—who served in the military during World War 2—who influenced him to volunteer for AFP. As the eldest grandchild and the one closest to his grandfather, he was inspired by his grandfather's experiences during the war. Because of this, he enlisted in the military as a reserve officer and used that opportunity to serve the nation and contribute to its advancement. He started as a reserve with the rank of Private in 2000, was commissioned as a Captain in 2016, and was promoted as Major around December 2020.

During the pandemic, they encountered difficulties that tested their ability to adapt and be flexible. Like many organizations, they had to adjust to doing things virtually for some of their projects, including their educational offensive related activities. Admittedly, synergy across different groups and people is one of the greatest challenges he encounters as a volunteer. But this is a challenge he is always willing to face because as much as possible, he wants to involve more people and groups in every project. In the future, Atty. Rester plans to recruit more volunteers into their organization. He wants to develop orientation programs for commissionship and encourage future reserve officers to join.

Apart from AFP, Atty. Rester recently joined the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary during the pandemic. He joined this organization because he wanted to help in whatever capacity to protect and care for our seas. Members of this organization contribute financially and pool resources to fund their programs. Atty. Rester would even offer their family resort in Lapu-Lapu City as the venue for their civic works like coastal cleanups, and the like.

Regardless of the circumstances, Atty. Rester continues to volunteer in his community. He wants to inspire more people—especially lawyers—to help society. He is motivated by the honor of serving the country and its people. For him, the smile on someone's face is enough to make all the sacrifices worth it. But more than that, he believes that volunteering—in whatever ways—should be everyone's responsibility for our society to progress.

Volunteering can be done by contributing one's time, talent, and treasure, and no one is barred from volunteering in any form. Volunteering is another way to give back and inspire others. Indeed, Atty. Rester's commitment to a progressive community qualifies him to advocate for nationalism. He is truly a deserving role model of nationalism and volunteerism.