to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy… and to laugh along the way
Reposting an article on a unique event some 51 years ago, Reception Day, when the PMA Class of 78 first set foot on the Academy. On that memorable day, the new members of the Makatarungan Class of 78 would cease being civilians and take a new journey toward becoming young military professionals imbued with ‘Courage, Integrity and Loyalty’.
Six young men, all PMA graduates, all lieutenants, all Scout Rangers, all sons of general officers with four bearing their father’s first name—all fell under combat conditions while in noble service to the nation. They could have easily stayed on safer grounds; instead, they chose the difficult path. They chose to be Scout Rangers.
Reception Day, 1974 was the beginning of a journey that would shape our lives, our careers, and our legacy. Not just as soldiers and leaders, but as an integral part of the bigger global community.
They were graduates of PMA. They were young lieutenants. They were sons of distinguished general-officers. Yet they chose to take the difficult path, and joined the Scout Rangers.
So much to be thankful for, most especially for inculcating the virtues of Courage, Integrity and Loyalty, values that have guided me in navigating life’s challenges with grace; principles that have helped me contribute in my own small way to the creation of a more just, honorable and harmonious world.
The extensive military training I got from my previous life has helped me adjust to the restrictions and rules imposed without so much of a hoot. All I have to do is think of the 1-year of plebe training in the Academy and the month-long ‘confinement-to-quarters’ suddenly looks bite-size. I think of the Ranger training in Tanay, and the sparse rations and supplies look puny. I remember the taps and reveille bugle calls, and the curfew restrictions seem right out of the ordinary.
Color My World 