REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: PMA Class of 2019 graduation

LAST DAY HIGH Members of the Philippine Military Academy’s “Mabalasik “Class of 2019 toss their shako (military cap) to celebrate their graduation amid a heavy downpour in Baguio City on Sunday. EV ESPIRITU

New house, gun, luxury watch

President Rodrigo Duterte was a generous commander-in-chief on Sunday, gifting newly commissioned Navy Ensign Dionne Mae Umalla with a house and lot during the graduation of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Mabalasik” Class of 2019.

Umalla, the class valedictorian, also received 13 awards and the presidential saber.

Since assuming office, the President has given houses to valedictorians of the PMA and the Philippine National Police Academy.

Even the class “goat” (lowest-ranked member) got a piece of the President’s generosity: 2nd Lt. Danmark Solomon was handed a .45-caliber pistol by the President.

While the new cadet corp officers were bidding their goodbyes, the President briefly talked with incoming Cadet First Class Alberto Lester Julaguit, and then took off his wristwatch, reportedly expensive, and wrapped it on the cadet’s left wrist.

The Army was also gracious: 2nd Lt. Jahziel Tandoc was given a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol with an engraved PMA seal by Army chief Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto for being the top Army graduate.

Tandoc also received the Secretary of National Defense and the Philippine Army sabers. —Karlston Lapniten

Top graduate reunites with father

The early afternoon downpour on Sunday did not stop parents from rushing to the Borromeo Field to hug their sons and daughters immediately after their graduation.

But the spotlight was on the father of class valedictorian Dionne Mae Umalla, who provided a heartwarming conclusion to her story of lost dreams and abandonment.

Umalla acknowledged her father, Reuben Sr., in her valedictory address, after talking about her mother, Dionisia, a retired teacher who raised her and her three brothers alone.

Reuben Sr., a former Marine, became estranged from the family when Umalla was in Grade 2. She last saw him four years ago when she was accepted as plebe. Umalla said her father’s first word to her was, “congratulations.” —EV Espiritu

Two class members left behind

The 261-member “Mabalasik” Class of 2019 on Sunday graduated without two original members.

Three days after the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) released its roster of graduates, two cadets were suspended for violating regulations, reducing the number of the original 263 members.

The cadets were not identified nor their violations mentioned.

But they did not violate the Honor Code, which would have warranted their suspension or expulsion.

The code guides how cadets must behave inside and outside the PMA.

“A cadet’s graduation always depends on his performance in all aspects of training in the academy,” Maj. Reynan Afan, PMA spokesperson, said.

There have been instances when cadets, who failed to graduate with their original class, are accorded “special graduating rites.” —Karlston Lapniten