PMA "Marilag" Class of 1995

I belong to the very socially-diverse and ideologically-interesting PMA “Marilag” Class of 1995.

Out of 23,000 examinees, 1,000 passed the Entrance Examination. I myself couldn’t believe that I made it the second time – no doubt a divine intervention.

After the physical, medical, and neuro-psychiatric tests, around 250 of us were appointed as fourth class cadets by Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, the then President of the Republic of the Philippines. Finally, I said to myself, “Yes, I will now be able to step foot on the hallowed ground of Borromeo Field.” But little did I know that on that hallowed ground, my thousands of agonizing hours would officially commence. Call it the start of a funny-fulfilling journey that I would gladly take for the next several years of my life.

The Borromeo Field is one of PMA’s most sacred grounds. To my knowledge, no one has dared break its unwritten rule of “never cross it from end to end in a whim”, unless during officially sanctioned activities or for exigent circumstances. Borromeo Field is used for many cadet activities, mainly to mark special occasions in a cadet’s life. In the words of Alfred McCoy (1999), “From Incorporation Day where they are formally recognized as PMA plebes; to Recognition Day where they receive their laurels for being Third Class officers; and to their much-awaited Graduation Day which makes them official members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Borromeo Field is a silent witness to many memorable events; it also hosts the worst ones: from summer camp where qualified applicants undergo the much-dreaded “Beast Barracks”.

Our class name “Marilag” means “highest form of excellence”. Whether we lived up to the ideals we were taught and revered, only history can determine. Time will unravel who we are, what have we become, and what we did in our lifetime – whether our actions are considered good or otherwise. After all, perspective is a powerful argument.

Ours, PMA Class ’95, is the first class with a tri-service curriculum. In our third year, we were separated according to the branch of service where we would go. The Air Force cadets took the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science; the Navy cadets took Bachelor of Science in Naval Systems Engineering; and the Army cadets took Bachelor of Science in Management. 

--THE RESCUE (2019)