And The Summer Classes Begin

As the class just ended and the kids were so excited with summer, came a great news, their school required them to attend summer class.  I guess it's because they only had 3 weeks in school which wasn't enough for them to be evaluated.  And we're also glad they're having it, especially that they are still adjusting to a new environment and a totally different culture and language.  Although we had English subject in our country, still we know, it's a totally different thing having to speak pure English. I feel like they really miss the comfort of home where they can use their native tongue in expressing themselves or answering questions.  But as we keep on telling them, this place is now our home... we all need to adapt to what life gives us.  And with all the murmuring about why they still need to attend summer classes, we just simply answered that they very much need it... and I know, my kids are smart to understand it.

Getting to summer school here isn't a hassle at all.  The school sent us a letter of approval if we wanted our kids to take summer classes.  We just filled up the form for necessary information and they're good to go the following school day.  But they had to go to different schools now, since my daughter is going to be in middle school already.  And the experience will be tougher for my son, being used to having his sister around.  Yet we know that they will be alright by themselves, as we saw how protective the teachers here are to their students (they only let go of their students when a parent or recognized guardian is picking up the child).

We were just happy that the schools here for our kids are free of charge, which in a lot of ways help us with our finances especially that we are still starting our lives here in Texas.  And sending them to summer school became an easy decision for us.  We give high regard to their education... for the fact that it is one of the most important  things we can provide them to have a good future.  Yahweh bless.

My PMA Cadet Years (Yearling) - Combative Subjects

March 1997

Although, there were cadets lucky enough to encounter advance math subject like Calculus in their college years, I was one of those who considered it as a "combative subject"... to describe it, let's just say that my brains seems like having a wrestling match with it.

Back then, I just finished battling and eventually won my fight against Differential Calculus, and immediately I faced a new opponent named Integral Calculus.  And in order to continue my cadetship, I needed to survive the subject.  Since the subject was just somewhat the opposite or reversal in computation of the previous one, it became a little easy for me (still hard but at least I already had a background).  Been passing the lesson and unit examinations.

The Sunday privileges really helped in coping up with the pressure.  I would usually go to my foster parents to enjoy the company of my siblings.  Watching movies or just roaming around their place... eased up the pressure of academics and gave me the opportunity to breath some fresh air... ha ha ha.  Though sometimes we also had free times from academics during the weekdays, but as cadets, we also had other duties to perform (i.e. guard details, drills and exercises, household chores, looking after our underclass, etc.).  So there's no other perfect place to relax but home.

11- Clash of the Classes.  It was a yearly event where classes compete with each other in games.  That year, the classes of 1997 (1st class), 1998 (2nd class), 1999 (our class), and 2000 (4th class) had a friendly competition.  Sort of a remembrance to the graduating class, for the last time playing with them as cadets, for the following days, they would already be busy with the drills for the graduation ceremony and back to back orientations as soon to be young officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.  By the way, our class finished 3rd... some say, "vault files"... I say, everything's fair and square, it's just a coincidence.

Spectating the games...

12 to15-  Overall, it was a good week for me.  I had my 2 major A patched at De Leon's (our local tailoring shop inside PMA); I received genuine handmade paper mails from friends (internet based mails were not yet that rampant during my stay); I was visited by friends from Manila (cadets seldom have one); and excused from Saturday inspection and parade (for academic purposes).  It was indeed then a good week for me.

16-  Graduation of Kalasag-Lahi Class of '97- As a trivia: It was their class where female cadets were first accepted in PMA.  They served as our squad leaders when we entered the academy.  And their time as cadets came to an end as they pave way to their military career.  As a cadet tradition called "dunking", all underclassmen met them after their graduation and we carried them towards the fountain near the sundial of the PMA headquarters.  Tossing them in the pool was our way of greeting them our congratulations and bidding our good luck as new officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

A typical 2nd class cadet dress coat...

18 to 26-  Wrestling with Integral Calculus.  We had a series of match up, lesson and unit examinations... and eventually the finals.  Good thing I successfully defended my title as cadet  (ha ha ha).  I won.  I had my chevrons moved from my elbow to my shoulders... additional stripes in my uniform... and insignia from yellow to red.  Finally done with my yearling years and into my cow years (3rd year or 2nd class).

Also, within the days, we had our 2nd classmen re-barracks in the barrio for the preparation of the incoming "plebe detail".  The Navy-Airforce group were the first ones handling the plebes (newcomers), as the Army group (which consist, more or less, half of our class) were on their orientation/training course.

27 to 30-  But before anything else, I had my well-deserved vacation.  Here's how it was spend:  Scrammed from Baguio in the 27th at 1900H; reached Manila the following day at 0100H and slept at a mistah's (classmate) house, then, went to our province and stayed overnight at my grandparent's house; after meeting my "mga kababata" (childhood friends), on the 29th I returned to Manila to travel back to Baguio and stayed with my foster parents until the following day... which was Easter Sunday, by the way.

31-  Back to barracks.  As I arrived, we had another re-rooming, as needed.  It was easier though than transferring our stuffs from barracks to barracks.  All the hassle for that moment, in our final preparation for the coming of Class 2001.

Recent Related Post: Surviving Academics

My PMA Cadet Years (Yearling) - Celebrating The Holidays

December 1996

2- I became a marcher of one of our academic classes.  It's an honor to be one as this means,  you topped the section of your class.  But having this recognition comes with responsibilities; being the class marcher, you're tasked to get the section's attendance, call the commands and lead your section.  Oh, I'm not that good at all the subjects, so I'm not the marcher all the time.  LOL.  

3- I started wearing glasses, as advised by our local optometrist.  Well, the training might have given me some improvements but there are also other repercussions.  I might had abused my eyes that it deteriorated.  Part of life, we gain some and we lose some. 

8-  We had our Command Christmas party.  Just like the rest of the academies and universities, this usually meant that the academic break was nearing.  In our mess hall, we had our small gathering and "salo-salo" in celebration of the joyous occasion to give thanks for the birth of our Lord Jesus.

12 to 14- We again invited our friends and new foster parents to PMA to showcase the talents of our fellow cadets in the annual 100th nite show.  The graduating class of 1997 incorporated their experiences, learning and outlook in their military career as they begin their countdown of a hundred days to graduation and will soon be leaving the portals of the academy to be of service to our country.

16 to 21-  We had an early entrucking to Manila at 0200H for the then upcoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Foundation Day.  We usually travel that early so we could have an ample time to fix our billeting area upon arrival, rest and prepare for the preliminary corps drill in preparation for the big day.

Every after drill, cadets were given time to visit their families or roam around the metro.  Me, I was either visiting my foster family or tagged along with a fellow cadet who lived in Manila that saved me some time just planning what to do or where to go.

24 to 31- Holiday break.  I spent my vacation with family and friends at home.  I missed it the year before, so it was something I looked forward to the whole year round.  Met with friends and talked about almost anything under the sun, especially the things I missed being with them... And most of all, celebrated the holidays with my family and relatives... simply irreplaceable at the moment.

I had a great time... and I thanked the Lord for the blessing of family and friends.   Yahweh bless.

Recent Related Post: Almost Like Home 

My PMA Cadet Years (Yearling) - Almost Like Home

November 1996

1 to 2 - Cadets were given a 2 day mass leave for the celebration of All Saints and All Souls Day.  I did not went home considering practicality.  I considered the invitation of an upperclassman to visit their hometown.  It was my first time to San Fernando, La Union, so it was definitely a trip I've been looking forward to.  And besides, being with an upperclass cadet is a treat, as it's in our tradition that they pay most of the expenses or at least pay a bigger share like when in dining out.

We went out skin diving the first day, but we're not so lucky to see the corals and fishes as the water was too cloudy that day.  However, it's not everyday I see a sea, definitely not in Baguio City.   I had a chance to witness a fish (bangus or milkfish) harvest the following day in their family fish pond in Dagupan City.  There, I appreciated the taste of a freshly caught roasted bangus dipped in soy sauce with cut fresh tomatoes in a steaming rice.  Also, I had my first encounter with the Ilocanos' "jumping salad".  It's just like our very own "kinilaw" (local sushi) but with a twist, they were using small live shrimps.  The taste?  I won't tell, it's for you to try and find out. LOL.

3 to 5 - We returned to PMA on a Sunday, and we were welcome by academics with surprise L.E.'s (lesson exams) the following day.  As cadets, we were expected to be always prepared in class, even after a break.  But who would have thought hahaha, so if you really had none, just have to rely to stock knowledge or "hugot" (chance).  By the way, cheating, in any form, in the academy is punishable by expulsion.

7 - We also had guest from other academies, a graduating Navy cadet stayed in our room once.  As hospitable as any other Filipinos, we offered what's best to our guests to make them comfortable during their visit.

8 to 9 - Parades were a duty to us cadets, and we do it as long as it's possible.  Usually, we had them during special occasions and every Saturday, after our inspection.  Here, we had 2 succeeding parades.  The first was to welcome our new superintendent and the second one was for the Saturday parade.  A storm had just hit Baguio City that time, but just like what they say in TV, the show must go on.  Not to worry, we wore our raincoats during those times... and they gave us a hop in the evening.

 

10 -  Foster Parent Program.  Cadets during their yearling (3rd class) or 2nd year were given foster parents.  It's a way PMA provides us a family that were almost like our own.  A really great help especially for those who were miles away from home.  There were things PMA could teach a cadet, but to keep them guided and look at a different perspective from being trim and proper, they may need an unbiased opinion from those outside the portals.  Something like having a family nearby, that you may consider almost like that of your home.  The program gave me not only foster parents but 3 new younger sisters and a brother.

16 - Had an official business in Baguio, and for my side trip, passed by a record shop and buy 2 cassette tapes; Eraserhead's Fruitcake and a Michael Learns to Rock album.  The bands I used to listen even before I entered the academy.  Cadets in official business status were those tasked to arrange certain transactions in behalf of PMA or needed to buy something for the academy's use.  The thing is, you could still linger in the city if you still have time, provided of course you've done your task.

20 - We always had our Corps drill most especially if we were preparing for something just to familiarize ourselves to the sequence of the parade.  If needed, we practice our drills for hours even under a bad weather.  Do we get sick? Definitely, but the training made us tougher, not only physically but also mentally.  As we termed it "PMA" for positive mental attitude.

26 to 28 - Entrucking bound to Manila for the change in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Position.  Upon arrival, after resting for a while, we already had our drills since we only had 2 days left to practice and adjust to the parameters of the actual location.  At that time, we had 3 speakers during the ceremony, President Fidel Ramos, AFP CS Arturo Enrile (outgoing) and AFP CS Arnulfo Acedera (incoming).  And we stood motionless until all the speeches are over.  The only rest we had was if the official commands the baron to change our position from attention to "tikas pahinga" or parade rest.

But you know what's the best thing of having parade in Manila was the privilege or short breaks given to cadets every after drills and parades.  I had the chance to visit the family that I considered my home there.

30 - It's not everyday cadets are being visited by friends and family, more especially those miles away from home.  So when I had an unexpected visit from friends in my hometown, I jumped to my uniform so I could go on entertaining.  How glad I was that it's a Sunday, and we're not in any duty.  Though I wasn't yet sure who they were, since all I got was "Marion & company", and I known 2 Marions... LOL.  Well, it didn't really matter, I was just eager to see familiar faces.

When I met them in the visitor's lounge, they were my friend's sisters Marion and Jean with their friend Joy.  After a short chat while having snacks in the cafeteria, I toured them around PMA.  There was somewhat an unfamiliar breeze as things wasn't as they were.  I was a cadet then, and must act accordingly and even without words, it's understandable.

My visit to a fellow cadet's hometown, a foster family, side trips, visiting and being visited by friends and family... each and everything was appreciated.  It somewhat gave me a feeling of home... well, almost like home.  And I'll forever be thankful to the Lord for such blessings, just the things I needed for the time being.  The Lord truly provides...  Yahweh bless.

Recent Related Post: Vacation, Privileges And Mass Leave

Planning Ahead

Our elders constantly reminded us when we were young, that the only thing a parent can give their children which cannot be stolen away from them is education.  And that is what we are now carefully planning and preparing for our children.  Especially that we have plans of migrating in the United States and their education there is one of our primary concern. 

Since it's a different country, we expect that their system of education and their curriculum will somehow differ from what we have in our country, and that's what concerns us.  Just in case that coping up will be hard for the kids, we are definitely open to the idea that we might need some help like tutoring for instance.  And choosing a reliable and competent school tutoring, would be a crucial decision to make. 

Moreover, since our daughter would be going to high school education a few years from now, we're just as concerned of her college education there.  But considering that in the US, they have scholarships given to those who passed their National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP), then it would greatly help.  But getting the scholarship isn't that easy, to be able to qualify, one still needs to pass this eligibility and qualification test known as the Preliminary Scholarship Aptitude Test (PSAT).  Whew, good thing there are PSAT tutors that would greatly help in providing the needed support to make students pass this exam, providing them a head start or edge compared to others.  

Adjustment to changes isn't easy but we are truly confident that, with our support, proper guidance and constant follow up, our kids will make it through any challenge they might encounter in their studies and in life in general.  Above all, we have faith in the Lord, that He will always guide them and provide for what is needed.  All in His glory.  Yahweh bless.