What’s in a name? A lot for PMA grads

When this year’s top graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Tom Puertollano, rose to deliver his valedictory speech and introduce the members of his class, he referred to them as “Bagwis”—Bagong Kawal na may Iisang Lakas, or New Soldiers Unified as a Single Force.

It was the first time many of those who attended the PMA graduation ceremonies, including parents, had heard that the name was actually an acronym.

Capt. Agnes Lynette Flores, PMA spokesperson, said the tradition of allowing cadets to pick a name for their class dated back to four decades but that the trend of using acronyms started only last decade.

The practice allows PMA classes to define the virtue that would guide them as groups, she said.

First class

Last year’s class called itself “Laon Alab,” which stood for “Lakas-Tipon Alagad ng Bayan,” meaning Strong Force of the Servants of the Land.

Already, the Class of 2013 is calling itself “Pudang Kalis,” which means “sacred sword” but is also an acronym for “Puso’t Dangal na Kawal ng Nag-iisang Lakas (Soldiers with Heart and Honor, Unified in Strength), according to Flores.

PMA classes, from the academy’s inception in 1905 to World War II and before the imposition of martial law in 1972, had no names and were identified simply by their class crests.

According to the Academy Scribe, an account of the PMA history, the first class with a recorded formal name was the PMA Class of 1970, called “Magiting” (Valiant). That class included Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Roy Cimatu and former Col. Irwin Ver, son of the late AFP Chief of Staff Fabian Ver.

Cadets’ response

The Class of 1971 was named “Matatag” (Fortitude) and its members included Senators Gregorio Honasan and Panfilo Lacson. Also with them was detained former Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who has been implicated in a military fund scandal.

There are no records to explain why a class name became necessary, said a former PMA superintendent, who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak for the academy.

“I can only guess. It was the late 1960s when activism was growing and cadet patriotism could have been a response to this,” he said.

The Class of 1972 was named “Masigasig” (Persistent), “1973 was “Maagap” (Swift), 1974 was “Marangal” (Noble), 1975 was “Makabayan” (Patriotic), 1976 was “Magilas” (Energetic), 1977 was “Masikap” (Hardworking), 1978 was “Makatarungan” (Just), 1979 was “Matapat” (Loyal) and 1980 was “Mapitagan” (Decent).

An online thread in the Philippine Defense Forum website states that cadets vote for their preferred names after an examination of their common characteristics—so the Class of 1998 was “Masinag” (Bright), the Class of 1989 was “Makatao” (Humane) and the Class of 1991 was “Sambisig” (One Vision).

2 meanings

Flores said some classes used hyphenated names, beginning with “Tanglaw-Diwa” (Guiding Light) Class of 1992 and “Bantay-Laya” (Protectors of Freedom) Class of 1994.

The first class to use a name with two meanings was “Mandala” Class of 2006. The name refers to a sacred circular symbol but it also stood for “Mandirigmang Dangal ng Lahi” (Warriors of the Proud Race).

It was followed by the “Maragtas” Class of 2007. The name was taken from the title of a Visayan epic but was also an acronym for “Marangal na Tagapagligtas” (Noble Protectors).

In 2008, the PMA graduates named their class “Baghawi” (Bagong Halaw ng Lahi or New Filipino Race). In 2009, it was the “Masiglahi” (Masiglang Mandirigma ng Lahi or Vibrant Soldiers of the Filipino Race). In the following year it was “Masidlak” (Mandirigmang Sibol ng Dakilang Lahing Kayumanggi or Soldiers Spawned by the Honorable Brown Race).

Right context

Flores said the new cadets worked hard to find the right name with the right context.

She said the academy had not turned down any name but would advise cadets if a proposed name would draw ridicule or would offend other people.

Puertollano said that “Bagong Kawal na may Iisang Lakas” referred to the cadets’ aspiration to become genuinely new soldiers after studying under a reformed PMA curriculum.

But he said the cadets also also liked the actual definition of the word “bagwis,” which is synonymous to “pakpak” (wings).

A class information sheet said: “The class will be the bagwis or pakpak (wings) of the AFP as it soars to a more unified action toward a better military organization for the Filipino people.”