RECOGNIZED | A total of 348 new cadets or plebes became official members of the Cadets Corps of the Philippine Military Academy on Aug. 20 in incorporation rites held at the country’s premier military school in Baguio City. (Photo from the PMA Public Information Office)
BAGUIO CITY, Benguet, Philippines —To win any war, cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) should strive to become competitive athletes while fulfilling classroom chores or performing military activities, outgoing Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado, flag officer in command of the Navy, said on Saturday at Fort del Pilar here.
Bordado addressed 348 freshmen cadets, who were formally incorporated into the PMA Corps of Cadets as “Talang Dangal (Honorable Star)” Class of 2026 in Saturday’s public rites witnessed by their parents.
The ceremony, which was led by the newly designated academy superintendent, Army Maj. Gen. Rowen Tolentino, officially integrated the plebes into the cadet population, after they completed basic military training following their arrival at the PMA on July 9.
Tolentino said his task would be to “mold young men and women into heroes… [who will] uphold democracy, and protect people and the territorial integrity of the country.”
He was the first superintendent to be appointed to a fixed four-year term.
“Every cadet must be an athlete and must develop competitiveness. That is the job of the soldier because our objective is always to win [the war]. We equip ourselves during peace time so when conflict breaks out, we have the upper hand,” said Bordado, who was assigned to the PMA from 1992 to 1997.
A member of PMA Maringal Class of 1988, Bordado is retiring in September and was given a testimonial parade by the cadets before proceeding to the Tangal Diwa incorporation.
The reception rites for Talang Dangal Class on July 9 and the mandatory training sometimes called “beast barracks” were conducted “without any untoward incident,” said former superintendent Brig. Gen. Julius Tomines during the Aug. 12 turnover of command at the PMA.
—VINCENT CABREZA
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