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Sunday, December 18, 2011

My PMA Cadet Years (Fourth Class) - Recognition Day


I remembered back in my elementary and high school days... “Recognition Day” was a very pleasant day... and so was this day... only, instead of receiving ribbons for good academic performance... we received a simple but very significant handshake from our upperclassmen... as recognition that we basically surpassed our plebehood and take part of our place as 4th classmen of the cadet corps... expected to perform delegated tasks without or with minimal supervision... and show excellence in the performance of the given tasks as what was expected of a PMA cadet.  Let me just use a metaphor... Recognition or the handshake is like a spark of light from our very dark plebehood days...

September 16, 1995 – we started our day feeling weird and somewhat uneasy... everything seemed so quiet.  We had an unfamiliar morning mess with our upperclassmen... unfamiliar, in a sense that we were no longer doing some of the things we usually do... the SOP’s... the “chinning-in”, the “head-ups”, and no more shouting.  After, we returned to our barracks... and we were no longer told to double time.  And inside barracks... trotting was no longer made; it’s the first time we walked the hallway to our quarters.

And after some finishing touches for the open house... a barracks inspection was made... then we heard the commotion we all were looking forward to... our families finally arrived... just seeing them was enough already for me.  That day, I felt how proud they were seeing me standing tall in my full dress uniform.  And honestly, I felt proud too to myself conquering my plebehood days... until now.

Then came the most anticipated part, the recognition ceremony... the event started as any of our “pass-in-review” parades except that here our upperclassmen separated from the formation... by then we marched and created an octagon formation symbolizing the 8 companies of the cadet corps...
 


... And came our upperclassmen, it was one of the joyous moments of our cadet life... and almost all of them gave us their handshake that day... even by the those I least expected... except for these 2 extraordinary yearlings who might be thinking they were much better than anyone in the corps (LOL).  Come to think of it, if I’d be the one giving them my handshake... I might also be hesitant... considering their performance as should be mentors... (just kidding, of course I would have had gladly did a handshake  with them, if not, then I’m no different from them).

Then, we spent some quality time with our family.  We toured around some famous places in Baguio City.  Unlike what everyone thinks, even PMA is in Baguio, as most cadets; I didn’t have the privilege to go to those places, if my family haven't visited me... hahaha.  We did have a hectic schedule and if we were given a privilege to go to the city proper, it would be just enough to do our business there.

At the end of the day, I gave all praises and thanks to the One who kept me safe and away from harm... the One whom I talked to when I felt like quitting... and the One who never failed to give me my needed strength and confidence... Yahweh and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Previous Related Post:  Rotting Hell Week and Initiation Day 

26 comments:

  1. I haven't watched a PMA graduation ceremony, not even on TV. :\

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  2. I haven't watched this kind of graduation ceremony either, but it looks so cool!

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  3. This is a great event that only a few can experience, not all really.

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  4. That was a very unforgetable experienced for you and your family.Congrats ,yuor family must be very proud of you that day.I am too just by reading your post.

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  5. I would love to watch a graduation ceremony in person.. That will be cool!! :D Thanks for sharing!

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  6. I love watching this ceremony especially the exhibitions done by the cadets. I clearly remembered one time when the cadets danced! And also the exhibition with the rifles! Galing!
    I guess I was influenced by my big bro coz I even became a CAT officer when I was in HS. :)
    http://www.pinaymom-in-germany.com

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  7. Wow Congratulations on your Recognition Day!

    My recent post Bangungot ng Bagyong Sendong

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  8. nice post! sarap balikan ang nakaraan 0_o

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  9. Congratulations. it is one special milestones of your academic life. In the future you will look back to this event

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  10. Great Job with this! It's an awesome experience

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  11. i wonder if hazing in PMA still exists.

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  12. guy's thanks for the comments... i would just like to clarify, if you read carefully, you'll find out that a recognition is different from a graduation ceremony. Yahweh bless.

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  13. Really, during your recognition day, the most important person that you will need to thank is Him. I really like the fact that you pointed it out.


    ____
    Much love, Christia

    7 reasons why I love Christmas from Christia's World

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  14. once pa lang ko nakapunta sa PMA, no event pa.

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  15. how was it inside PMA? there are many rumors na hindi daw maganda pamamalakad..this true?

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  16. For sure, this is a memorable event in your life. :)I want to attend this kind of ceremony. :)

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  17. me too , i haven't watch a PMA graduation like this. I guess your right. This is really different from other recognition day !

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  18. Yahweh bless! You stand tall at that time. You're very proud of yourself for just a mere handshake is already big enough to be recognized and be given that due accolade! But the best recognition comes from the Lord for your exemplary behaviour, for your humbleness, for your gratefulness to your family who supported all the way. Thanking Yahweh though simple as it may seem, but the surest way to be grateful to our Maker, our Provider and our Father in Heaven!

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  19. I am invited once but I declined to go through

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  20. I can feel how proud you are in the picture....I salute you for taking the challenge of righid training.

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  21. michymichymoo, you haven't watched it in MINSAN LANG KITA IIBIGIN?

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  22. I have been involved in a lot of graduations already including one like yours. It is indeed a great experience not just for the graduates but for the viewers too. Military recognition is almost the same as yours. :)

    TC

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  23. I so love to watch ceremonies like this one. the exhibitions of the cadets are amazing!

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  24. I am glad to know there are still people nowadays who are not ashamed to say to the world of their faith in God. Looking forward to reading your upcoming posts, I am your new follower.

    May I invite you to visit my blog? Please do follow if you find it good. Yahweh bless.

    http://www.eyeof1001.blogspot.com

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  25. I love watching them march... it really amazes me...

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