The English Version

The GUARDIANS’ Last Drop of Blood

The phrases “The GUARDIANS’ Last Drop of Blood” and the resonant Filipino declaration “Hanggang Kamatayan, Hanggang sa Libingan” (Until Death, Until the Grave) serve as powerful pillars within the GUARDIANS Brotherhood Incorporated (PGBI). These expressions encapsulate the fraternity’s ideals of loyalty, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. But beyond their poetic and symbolic weight, a critical question emerges: How true are these claims? Are the GUARDIANS genuinely committed and existent as a brotherhood dedicated to these principles, or are they just words spoken in rhetoric?

The Significance of the Phrases

“The GUARDIANS’ Last Drop of Blood” signifies the ultimate sacrifice—implying that members are prepared to give everything, even their lives, in service of the brotherhood or the causes they champion. It echoes the deep sense of loyalty and camaraderie that binds members together, emphasizing that their devotion is absolute and unyielding.

“Hanggang Kamatayan, Hanggang sa Libingan” underscores the enduring commitment of members—vowing allegiance until death and even beyond, into the grave. It reflects a culture of loyalty where betrayal is unthinkable, and the bond among members is sacrosanct.

How True Are the GUARDIANS? Are They Really Existing or Just Words?

The core question revolves around authenticity. Do the GUARDIANS genuinely embody these ideals, or are these just lofty slogans?

Evidence Supporting Genuine Commitment

• The organization has been active for decades, with members often describing a strong sense of brotherhood rooted in shared experiences, loyalty, and mutual protection.
• In some cases, GUARDIANS have been involved in community activities, police support, or local initiatives, suggesting a degree of genuine commitment beyond mere rhetoric.
• Members often speak passionately about their loyalty and readiness to defend their brothers, indicating that these principles are ingrained in their culture.

Counterpoints and Skepticism

• There have been reports and allegations linking some factions of the GUARDIANS to illegal activities, which casts doubt on whether their actions align with their proclaimed ideals.
• Like many brotherhoods with secretive elements, transparency is limited. This lack of openness fosters suspicion about whether their principles are upheld in practice.
• As with any large organization, individual members’ commitment levels vary. Not all members may live up to the vows they supposedly uphold.
• Some leaders within the organization prefer to have their names on the roster and list of officers, often marked as their identity or badge of honor. However, despite these markings and titles, their actions sometimes fall short of the ideals they publicly espouse. This disparity between image and actual conduct raises questions about the sincerity of their commitment and the true integrity of the organization’s leadership.

GUARDIANS as Many Seasons: “Sala init, sala sa lamig”

An important metaphor frequently used to describe the GUARDIANS Brotherhood is the Filipino saying “Sala init, sala sa lamig,” which translates to “Hot season, cold season.” This phrase symbolically compares the experience of being a guardian to enduring various seasons—some hot, some cold—highlighting the different trials and changing circumstances that members encounter over time.

Just as seasons shift from warmth to cold and back again, the fraternity faces moments of stability and hardship, comfort and challenge. The metaphor suggests that “true guardians are those who stay resilient and loyal regardless of these changing conditions”. Whether times are tough or easy, members are expected to remain steadfast, demonstrating resilience, enduring loyalty, and unwavering commitment through all seasons of their journey within the organization.

However, it is also observed that “many leaders are very persistent and active during their early years in the organization”, often showing strong dedication and working hard to establish their position. But over time, some of these leaders gradually fade away, losing their momentum and eventually disappearing from the scene altogether. This pattern reflects how initial zeal can diminish, and how enduring loyalty and resilience are truly tested over the long run.

This addition highlights that while some members or leaders start with strong commitment, sustaining that dedication over time is challenging. The metaphor of many seasons underscores the importance of resilience; true GUARDIANS remain loyal and active through all phases, not just at the beginning.

The Reality: Words Versus Actions

While the inspirational slogans and metaphors serve to motivate and unify members internally, the reality of the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Inc. (PGBI) adherence to these principles remains nuanced. For some, these phrases and metaphors truly embody their commitment—viewing their membership as a lifelong pledge of loyalty and sacrifice. For others, especially those involved in illicit activities or who question the organization’s purpose, these words may be more rhetorical than reflective of their actions.

The slogans “The GUARDIANS’ Last Drop of Blood,” “Hanggang Kamatayan, Hanggang sa Libingan,” and the metaphor of enduring many seasons “sala init, sala sa lamig” are powerful symbols of loyalty, sacrifice, and resilience within the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI). Their authenticity depends heavily on individual members’ convictions and actions. While there is evidence suggesting genuine dedication among certain factions, concerns about illicit activities, secrecy, and the disparity between leadership’s image and actions also cast shadows of doubt.

Ultimately, like many organizations with deep-rooted traditions, the true measure of their sincerity lies in consistent actions that align with their proclaimed ideals. For outsiders and society at large, skepticism often persists, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in such brotherhoods. Whether the GUARDIANS are truly living these principles or merely echoing them in words remains a nuanced question—one that only time and continued scrutiny can fully answer. – GSM