PMA all set for annual alumni homecoming

Thousands of PMA alumni are expected to attend the annual alumni gathering on Saturday, Feb. 15.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines– Thousands of alumni, both retired and active, of the Philippine Military Academy, are coming together to attend the annual Alumni Homecoming here on Saturday, Feb. 15.

The PMA is one of the more popular officers training school of the Armed Forces of the Philippines based in Fort del Pilar on Loakan Road.

Major Agnes Lynette Flores, PMA spokesperson, said on Friday that about 2,000 alumni are expected to attend. There are also 2,000 guests and families expected to tag along.

This year’s guest of honor is former senator and Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. He is a member of PMA “Matatag” Class of 1971. His other known ‘mistah’ or classmate is Senator Gringo Honasan.

The hosts for this year include the classes of PMA 1984 (Maharlika), 1989 (Makatao), 1994 (Bantay Laya), 1999 (Masikhay), 2004 (Maliyab) and 2009 (Masiglahi).

On Friday, several tarpaulins could be seen starting in Tarlac all the way to Baguio City, welcoming home their “cavaliers,” or what the graduates of the academy are called. This had been a practice every homecoming.

A special recognition will also be given on Saturday to members of PMA Class 1954 as Diamond jubilarians (60 years), 1964 as Golden boys (50 years) and 1989 as Silver jubilarians (25 years).

Later in the day, there will be retirement ceremonies for the outgoing PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Edgar Abogado.

The PMA Alumni Homecoming kicked off last Feb. 13 with a golf tournament and an eco-trail run. On Friday, the PMA inaugurated classrooms donated by some PMA classes, which was followed by a wreathlaying ceremony at the Alumni Memorial.