MANILA  -- Veteran actress Nadia Montenegro is now part of the Philippine Navy as a reserve after completing a short training course.

Montenegro, or Nadine M. Pla in real life, was among the 45 newly graduated army reservists who finished a 30-day training on Tuesday. The event was attended by generals of the Philippine Navy and guest of honor Senator Robin Padilla.

"Sobrang overwhelmed but proud. Talagang it's just sinking right now na lahat ng mga nangyari, but all worth it, even just looking forward where we were going together," the actress said in an interview with the press.

The actress also revealed the reason why she bravely joined the Navy.

"My senator... Nakaka-hawa 'yung kaniyang patriotism and 'yung kaniyang sobrang pagmamahal sa country, 'yung kaniyang patriotic side niya and his love for the country talagang protection service and talagang sama-sama para sa protection ng ating bayan," she said.

During her 30 days of training with the Philippine Navy, the actress never thought that she could push herself.

"I learned about patience, I learned about myself, my limits. I never thought na at 52 I never thought I can do all these things... lahat ng pinagdaan namin sa barko, mga training at siyempre 'yung mga mapping, mga rifle combat and all others. It was just something I never thought I could do at this age and no regrets talaga. As in kahit pala 30 years ka na hindi nag-gym, pag sinabi ng commander mo na squat, kayang kaya pala. I just learned na there is no limit, when you want to serve and you have the heart to serve never give up, I didn't give up talaga until andito na ako," she said.

The actress also thanked her family, especially her kids who supported her from the beginning.

"All out talaga I missed them pero all-out talaga and sabi ko nga 'I'm packing all my packed dreams,' so I never thought that I would able to do this for my country," she said.