My PMA Cadet Years (Fourth Class) - Returning Home

In one of our community service, we visited a place we commonly termed as "smokey mountain".  Common sense will tell you, we didn't help clean the site, it's a garbage dumping area.   We were there to share some basic needs like clothing, toiletries, food and medicines to the residents, that it may somehow be of aid to them.  Though, these situation is common to our country, still... being there was a heartbreaking experience. Seeing all these people living with the garbage and having their homes just within the perimeter, having no choice, since it's the only decent source of income they knew that would support their family.  If only the government can do more...

A week after, we had another cadet hop (a social gathering with dances) within the month.  I think it's our pre-Valentine's day celebration, as it's held a Saturday before V-day.  It has always been a challenge for some cadets (like me, being not from Baguio) to invite someone for the hop, since you're just given a couple of hours to do so.  Lucky for me, I was introduced by my parents to their family friend who lived within the city.

Even without enough sleep yet (Oh well, I guess that's part of the training), we then had a running competition the following day, "cross country".  It was just like any individual running event with cadets competing with each other, but with a little twist, instead of rubber shoes, we wore combat boots... and we had to pass through different terrains like asphalt or cemented roads, rough roads and an uphill climb with just a single pathway to follow.  Proud to say, I was the 13th fastest to reach the finish line.

After a week long of preparation and drills, came February 17, when PMA celebrated its 91st foundation day anniversary.  And almost simultaneous with the affair was the Alumni Homecoming which occurred the following day.  Here, our guest of honor was the president of the Philippines that time, Fidel Ramos.  Though it was fun to see more visitors and known personalities as compared to ordinary days in the academy, the parade and standing motionless in the Borromeo field while waiting for the speeches and program to end was really tiring as it was much... much longer than the usual.  Good thing parade like this seldom happens.

A short pose before the parade.

And the challenges never stopped, as a day after, we braced ourselves to start a week long final exams in academics.  Just lucky if you had exemptions so you can focus more on subjects which you rot the most.  Why does remembering these days gives me the chill?... LOL.

So before the month ended (at last), we were given privilege to go on leave or rest for a couple of days, which I spent in our province in Cavite together with a "mistah" (classmate) which also lived in the far south.  I needed to go home to unwind and rejuvenate... and it's the nearest home I can think of in that moment.  I have always been grateful to Yahweh for being blessed with family nearby.  To Him be the glory, as always.

Recent Related Post:  Facing Another Year