The Philippine Military Academy formally welcomed and received 340 incoming cadets to compose the PMA Class of 2029 during the reception rites at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City.
PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, in welcoming the 274 male and 66 female incoming cadets from across the nation, emphasized that they are no longer ordinary citizens as they stepped into the hallowed grounds of Fort Del Pilar to begin a new chapter in their lives.
“From here on, you are no longer ordinary citizens. The next step you make, you do so as PMA cadets. On your shoulders, lie the trust and expectations of your families, communities, and most importantly, the Filipino people at large. You now belong to an institution built on honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to the Filipino people,” Valencia said in his message.
The new entrants had undergone a competitive selection process, from a total of 37,295 applicants, 21,796 qualified to take the competitive entrance examination where only 1,701 passed. After a series of competitive complete physical and medical screening processes, only 340 have been admitted.
They will have the rank of fourth class cadets in the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP) and will undergo three months of Basic Cadet and Military Training before they start their academic education.
Over three months, the plebe cadets go through a rigid process of adapting to the system and the life of a cadet and military, including changing their posture from slouching to having a good “bearing” or having a straight back to look more dignified.
They will then be incorporated as members of the CCAFP in rites called “incorporation”.
The new batch will be the pioneering class that will undergo the recently-approved enhanced Bachelor of Science in Management major in Security Studies curriculum which focuses on integration of territorial defense and modern warfare domains in its core subjects. PIA – CAR