Joy Adalia
Holding the distinction of being the first female commander of US Navy Region Northwest and the first woman to assume the position of Commander Joint Region Marianas, US Navy Rear Admiral Babette “Bette” Bolivar is also one of the very few females holding a high-ranking position in the US Navy.
Because she is also the US Defense Representative for Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau, and Commander of Naval Forces Marianas, Bolivar also became the first woman to hold several important positions in the US Navy.
What makes her extra special for Filipinos is that though she was born and raised in Hawaii, she has always been proud of her Filipino descent. Both her parents are Filipinos, but because she was born in Hawaii, she carried dual citizenship as Filipino and American.
According to one of the clauses in the Philippine nationality law, a person becomes a Philippine citizen by birth if “that person was born on or after October 15, 1986 and at least one parent was a Philippine citizen on the birthdate.” So, despite her American soil birth, she is still a Filipino.
However, there is also a clause in the law that says the Filipino citizen can lose citizenship “By rendering services to, or accepting commission in, the armed forces of a foreign country, and the taking of an oath of allegiance incident thereto, except in certain specified cases.” So, technically, she had lost her Filipino citizenship.
Now, what does Bolivar say about the matter? It seems that people who are making a big fuss about her not being a Filipino are wrong, because Bolivar, herself, admitted to being Filipino by blood. She said she is proud of her heritage and that she grew up in a ‘traditional Filipino family’.
In an interview with the Philippine Star, she said in fluent Tagalog, “Ang tatay ko ay taga Bicol at ang nanay ko ay taga Pangasinan (My father is from Bicol and my mother hails from Pangasinan)”. So, despite all the technicalities surrounding her birth, heritage, and allegiance, she feels Pinay.
Excellent achievements
According to the US Navy official website, some of Bolivar’s achievements include:
- Commander, Joint Region Marianas
- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas
- U.S. Defense Representative Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau
- She was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame
- Her decorations: various campaign, unit and service awards including recognition as the CNO’s Pacific Fleet Finalist for the Vice Adm. James Stockdale Leadership Award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with one Gold Star), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with four Gold Stars), Meritorious Service Medal (with three Gold Stars), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), and Legion of Merit Medal (with one Gold Star)
- Chief of staff for Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC)
- Commanding officer of Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and Navy Munitions Command CONUS East Division (NMC CED)
