PMA valedictorian to mistahs: Protect Constitution, people

FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY – Become the vanguards of the Constitution and the protectors of the Filipino people. This was the message of Erano Belen, who on Monday graduated valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Masidlak" class of 2010, to his mistahs. “If challenges come along our way, we must face these challenges objectively. We must stand firm to our mandate to serve and protect the Filipino people. Together, we dedicate our lives as vanguards of the Constitution and builders of peaceful nation," he said in his valedictory address. He reminded his 225 classmates that alongside accomplishments and milestones are “duties and responsibilities to fulfill." “Graduating in the academy is one thing, but building a reputation is another," Belen said, quoting Senior Superintendent Manuel Gaerland, a member of PMA class 1985.

“As we leave the portals of the academy and enter the real world, we must not leave behind the values and ideas that our alma mater has taught us. The values of courage, integrity and loyalty may not only be designs on our rampart and bullrings but instead our very own core values as we move forward as officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he added. After his address, the members of the class were commissioned as second lieutenants and ensigns of the military by Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales. Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado then presided the oath-taking of the new junior officers. Belen and 44 other members of the class will be joining the Air Force, while 122 will be with the Philippine Army and 59 will be with the Navy and its subordinate unit, the Philippine Marines. This year’s batch of graduates is composed of 195 males and 31 females. One of the female graduates, Karen Nuevas Padayao of Ormoc City, ranked 9th in the class. The other members of the Top 10 are Froillan Jick Pinay-an of Ifugao (No. 2), Nolito Ong Ebal of Misamis Oriental (No. 3), Johnson Revesa Gonzales of Camarines Sur (No. 4), Jacob Jorge Avila of Baguio City (No. 5), Joel delos Santos of Tacloban City (No. 6), Erwin Ramos Villanueva of Cavite (No. 7), Alfie Pancho Agarao of Iloilo (No. 8) and Ric Ivan Cordero Joven of South Cotabato (No. 10). Belen, , a son of a tricycle driver from Dumaguete City, received from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the Presidential Saber for topping the class and the Philippine Air Force saber for being the top graduate to join the Air Force. Meanwhile, Pinay-an received the Vice Presidential Saber for finishing second in the class and the Philippine Army saber for being the top graduate to join the Army. Ebal got the Secretary of National Defense saber for finishing third while Gonzales got the Philippine Navy award for being top graduate to join the Navy. Alfonso Magno Irriberi received the PGMA Achievement Award for Leadership and the Chief of Staff Saber Award for serving as the brigade commander of the cadet corps. - KBK, GMANews.TV