Parents feel pride, fear for cadets’ feat, future

PMA’S FINEST. The top 10 graduates of PMA Class 2014, led by Cadet First Class Jheorge Llona (left, first row), pose for the cameras at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City on Tuesday. EV ESPIRITU/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Sixto Pontillas was working as a mechanical technician in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia when his son called to ask for his permission to join the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

“Sabi ko, kung makakapasa ka, bakit hindi? Kasi nung medyo kabataan ko iyan din ang pangarap ko,” the elder Pontillas said.

(I told him, if you could pass the entrance exam, why not? Because when I was young that was also my dream.)

Check the Internet, his son said.

“Pasado na pala (Apparently, he already passed),” Pontillas said, smiling as he recalled the proud moment.

On Sunday, Cadet First Class Joseph Ferdinand Pontillas was among the 222 young men and women who graduated from the PMA, and took their oath as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The father said he decided to forego his scheduled vacation leave a year ago so he could make it to his son’s graduation.

“So nag-extend ako another year…Dapat nga hindi ako papayagan ng company ko…Sabi ko, di bale ako mag-provide ng pamasahe ko,” he said.

(I extended for another year…At first I was not allowed by my company. But then I said I will provide for my fare.)

For Pontillas, another year away from home was a welcome sacrifice in exchange for the opportunity to see his son receive his diploma and stand along “the long gray line” with his mistahs.

He said he never thought his son would one day join the Armed Forces since he never showed any interest. He guessed it might be because of his father, who was a former military man.

But the training meant to toughen up cadets was not enough to keep his son from becoming emotional.

“Nung nakita (nya kami) nung awarding ng insignia doon, parang naiyak pa sya kasi hindi nya akalaing makakauwi ako,” Pontillas said.

(When he saw us at the awarding of their insignia, he almost broke into tears because he did not expect that I would be able to come home.)

Like him, Elena Fernandez was all smiles as she sat waiting for the PMA commencement exercises to start.

“Masayang-masaya po, basta parang naiiyak sa tuwa,” she told INQUIRER.net.

Like the graduates, she was wearing a piece of tribal belt around her waist. She said she belonged to the Kalinga tribe, like her two sons who were both members of Batch Siklab Diwa.

Fernandez, an elementary school teacher, was the mother of Loreto and Dennis Ralpo, the only pair of siblings graduating that day.

She said she was proud of her sons who studied and trained hard in the four years they were in the PMA.

“Gusto po nilang ipagpatuloy ang sinimulan ng kanilang ama (They want to continue what their father started),” she said, explaining that her husband used to be a soldier but has since left the service to become a carpenter.

As a mother, Fernandez said it was difficult for her to be away from her children.

That was why during their first year in the academy, she would attend Mass at the PMA Evangelical Church just to catch a glimpse of her sons.

Most of the parents recalled worrying for the health of their children, especially during the first weeks of training.

Bernabe Zambale and his wife said they weren’t able to recognize their son when they first visited the PMA, 45 days after his first school year started.

His son Bernabe Jay Zambale Jr., who joined the PMA after graduating from high school, not only got tanned because of long exposure to the sun but also lost 21 pounds.

“Samantalang nung paalis sya sa amin ang ganda ng katawan, macho,” he said in jest.

Zambale said his son looked up to his older brother who was a product of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Academy and a chief of police of a Lanao town.

“Gusto nyang maging tulad ng kuya nya kaya nagpursige sya (He wanted to be like his brother that’s why he persevered),” he said.

While their son mostly shared happy and funny anecdotes, the jokes also gave them insights of the difficulties that the cadets experienced while they were still plebes.

Nevertheless, he said they felt better once their son survived the first year. They were confident he would be able to surpass other challenges until he graduates.

In the end, all three parents said they were happy at what their sons achieved and where they were headed.

“Lahat naman ng magulang ang gusto nila mapaganda yung anak nila…At least secured na sila sa pinasukan nila at iyon talaga ang gusto nila,” Pontillas said.

(All parents want the best for their children…At least they have a secure future and it’s something they really want to do.)

While the life of a soldier is no bed of roses, Fernandez said, “Syempre natatakot po kami (para sa kanila). Kaya lang, bahala na po ang Diyos sa kanila. Ang mahalaga mag-serve po sila sa country.”

(Of course, we fear for their lives. May the Lord take care of them. What is important is that they serve the country.)

Asked how they will deal with the perils their sons will face as soldiers, all of them said they can only pray and hope for the best.