BAGUIO CITY –– Mayor Benjamin Magalong begged off from awarding the Sport Saber at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduation rites of the Masidlawin Class of 2020 on May 22.
The commencement exercises will push through but their parents and relatives will have to watch the graduates become junior officers through a live stream at the PMA’s official social media page to spare the cadets from being infected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to Marine Capt. Cheryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson.
A member of PMA Sandigan Class of 1982, Magalong said this was the first time parents would be barred from graduation ceremonies, but asserted that the quarantine and the absence of a cure meant “we have to accept it with a heavy heart.”
The mayor said he also commiserates with Masidlawin, which stands for Mandirigmang Isinilang na may Dangal at Lakas Upang Maging Tanglaw ng Inang Bayan. Magalong said he knows how memorable graduation day is for cadets and their parents.
Marching without the audience would be different for cadets, too, he added. “But it should not dampen their mood, their spirit their dedication, and at the same time their commitment to serve this country. So congratulations to our PMA graduates,” Magalong said.