MANILA, Philippines—The valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Siklab Diwa” Class of 2014 on Sunday assured the public that he and his batchmates will uphold the values taught by the Academy amid the controversies hounding its honor system.
“Ang Akademya ay hindi nagkulang na ituro sa amin ang kahalagahan ng pagiging tapat. Patuloy po naming itataguyod at isasabuhay ang Honor Code kapalit man ang aming buhay,” Cadet First Class Jheorge Llona said during the PMA’s
graduation rites Sunday.
(The Academy never failed to teach us the importance of honesty. We will continue to strive to live by the Honor Code even at the expense of our lives.)
Llona told his mistah (batchmates at the PMA) to always live by the Honor Code of the PMA even outside the threshold of the country’s premiere military school.
“Kaya nararapat lamang na ating isapuso ang mga aral na itinuro ng Akademya – courage, integrity, at loyalty – na mas pinatibay pa ng ating Honor Code at ng edukasyon na ating nakuha dito,” he said.
(That is why it is very important to engrave the values taught by the Academy-courage, integrity, and loyalty-that is strengthened by our Honor Code and the education we attained here.)
He challenged his mistah to never lose sight of the values taught by the Honor Code even after leaving the PMA as they would face many challenges in the outside world.
“Ang ating kinabukasan ay parang araw sa bukang liwayway. Alam po natin na kahit anong mangyari ay sisikat at sisikat ito. Nasa ating mga kamay na kung gaano natin hahayaang magliwanag ang sikat ng ating mga araw. Maraming mga ulap na maaaring tumakip sa sikat nito, ito ay ang mga pagsubok na ating kakaharapin sa ating buhay,” he said.
(Our future is like the sun in dawn. We know that it will rise no matter what happens. It is up to us on how bright we will shape our futures. Dark clouds may hover, but these are just some of the challenges we have to face in life.)
He said he once dreamt of serving the country and his graduation from the PMA is the realization of his dreams.
CLASS TOPNOTCHER. President Aquino congratulates newly commissioned Air Force 2nd Lt. Jheorge Llona, valedictorian of Siklab Diwa Class of 2014, during the PMA graduation rites. EV ESPIRITU/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON
“Nangarap din po ako na makapagsilbi sa ating pinakamamahal na bayan. Ang pagtayo ko sa inyong harapan ngayon ay ang katuparan ng aking mga pangarap,” he said.
(I once dreamt of serving our beloved nation. Standing before you today is the realization of my dreams.)
He said he is now ready to serve the country.
“Taas noo ko pong masasabi na hinubog kami ng PMA upang maging epektibong leader ng AFP. Dapat lagi nating hangarin na pagtagumpayan ang kapayapaan at huwag mawala ang tiwala ng sambayanang Pilipino. Hindi po kami mag-aatubiling unahin ang kapakanan ng aming mga boss – ang sambayanang Pilipino sapagka’t ito ang ating sinumpaang tungkulin,” he said.
(I am proud to say that we have been molded by the PMA to become effective leaders of the AFP. It should always be our goal to achieve success and to never lose the confidence of the people. We will never think twice in always putting our nation first because this is our mandated obligation.)
He mentioned his parents were his inspiration to excel and top this year’s 222 graduates.
“Sa punto pong ito, ay nais ko ring pasalamatan ang aking mga magulang. Ang akin pong medalya at parangal ay aking inaalay sa inyo na nagsilbing inspirasyon ko upang magpursige at pagtagumpayan ang aking pag-aaral dito sa Akademya,” he said.
(Now, I would also like to thank my parents. I offer to you my medal and achievement for becoming my inspiration to strive hard and finish my education here at the Academy.)
Grateful for his achievements in his four-year education in the PMA, Llona thanked Pres. Benigno Aquino III, Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and his PMA family.
He also thanked the public for their support and continued trust to the AFP.
“Nais ko rin pong pasalamatan ang sambayanang Pilipino sa patuloy na pagtitiwala at sumusuporta sa mga programa at polisiya ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas,” he said.
(I would also like to thank the Filipino people for their continued trust and support to the programs and policies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.)
The 22-year-old Llona, who was born to a farming clan in the remote village of Maopi in Daraga, Albay, ended his speech with a high spirit, saying the Siklab Diwa class will not think twice in always putting national interest first.
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