Police grad to march with dead parents’ dream

When he marches for the last time as a cadet next Thursday, Cadet 1st Class Romar Exile will carry with him all the dreams of his deceased parents.

Exile, 25, was brought up by his mother Marites who sold vegetables in the Cagayan Valley until her death during Exile’s second year at the Philippine National Police Academy.

“It was so difficult to lose both parents. I thought about leaving the academy and helping my siblings. But I prayed for courage to move on for my siblings,” he said.

Exile is the president of the “Masundayaw” Class of 2016, whose 253 graduates will receive their Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety at the PNPA commencement exercises on March 10 at Camp Mariano Castaneda, Silang, Cavite.

President Benigno Aquino III will be the guest of honor and speaker.

“Masundayaw,” an anagram formed out of three words to mean “a brave warrior with honor,” 19 female cadets and 234 male cadets, with majority of the graduates, or 226, cadets planning to join the PNP.

This year’s first placer, C1C Felipe Alicando Jr., 24, will receive the Presidential Kampilan award, Fire Kampilan award and the Best Thesis award.

The other top cadets are: C1C Norman Pentang, 22 in second place; C1C Aldrin Bagayao, 24 in third place; C1C Fredwin Sernio, 24 in fourth place; C1C Arianne Humiwat, 24 in fifth place;

C1C Mark Samuel Romanillos, 25 in sixth place; C1C Nicko Czar Magnaye, 21 in seventh place; C1C Ronie Ric Alipio, 25 in eighth place; C1C Edo Lobenia, 22 in ninth place; C1C Arvin Jay Laguna, 22 in 10th place.

Although he is not in the top 10, Exile will be recognized for leading the class as its president. He said the class is determined to help improve the PNP when they join its ranks.

Awardees

As the class president, Exile will receive the Philippine Public Safety College President Leadership Kampilan Award while C1C Eunice Lacra, 21, will receive the Journalism Kampilan Award.

The other awardees and their awards are: C1C Christopher Dulagan, 22, Athletic Kampilan Award; C1C Rafael Lorenz Serion, 23, Best in Thesis; C1C Chrisvil Villamor, 24, Best in Thesis.

Humiwat, the lone female cadet in the top 10, said she did not let her gender get in the way of competing with her male classmates, especially in physical activities.

“It’s all mind over body. Whatever pressures you are subjected to, if you really want to achieve something, you will do what is extraordinary,” she said.