Siblings' bond grows deeper at PMA

FORT DEL PILAR,  Baguio City -  Thickened by blood, the bond of these siblings has grown deeper as mistahs, Philippine Military Academy achievers,  Army fighters and determined Filipino soldiers.

The Bicolano-Ilocano  brother-sister “Ibarde tandem” , who are graduating on Sunday as 2nd Lieutenants,  have many things in common.

Marching in perfect cadence for the last time as cadets at the Philippine Military Academy hallowed Borromeo Field --  Marvic Rustan Ibarde  and Mariz Jane Ibarde --   on Sunday , they will soon be  soldier-officers in the Visayas or Mindanao  regions .

“We certainly love soldiering,” said 22-year-old Marvic,  seconded by his 21-year-old sister Mariz.  They are both going to the Philippine Army, considered as the most dangerous branch of service in the Armed Forces .

Though no one in their family is a soldier, Marvic,  who is the class baron of Pudang Kalis (“Sacred Sword”) or Puso’t Dangal ng mga Kawal ng mga Lahing Nagkakaisa or Soldiers with Heart and Honor, Unified in Strength class of 2013  said becoming a soldier  was his  "childhood dream.”

"I loved war movies," the  Brigade Commander of more than 600 cadets said.

Marvic's childhood dream became Mariz’s inspiration to become a "PMAyer" too,  a genuine example of the ideals of their “Pudang Kalis” class, whose name was derived from a sacred Muslim sword which is passed by a Muslim clan from generation to generation.

The graduating class composed of 124 cadets  (105 males, 19 females) used the name believing they are like a sword whose blade will never perish.

Both raised in La Trinidad, Benguet, Marvic and Mariz went to Lucban Elementary School in Baguio and then to the Benguet National High School in Wangal, La Trinidad.

“Naabutan ko siya sa second year high school,” said Marvic of her sister. Marvic said he  had stopped school for two years.

“We were classmates from second year to fourth  year,” Marvic said.

Marvic entered PMA in 2008., and Mariz in 2009.  Both  entered the PMA against their parents’ will. 

“I know it was not OK for my father (Jaime) and mother (Trinidad) [for us to enter the PMA]," he said. 

There was also a time, the tandem said, when they were  begged to go to the Philippine Air Force instead of the perilous Army.  “They are afraid we will die early,” Marvic chuckled.

The siblings  however stuck to their decision to go to the Army instead.  They said they understand the perils and risks that they will face, but said that it is their job.

“Hurdling Difficult Challenges”

Despite facing tough challenges in the Academy, Marvic, who took a one-year sick leave after his left ankle was  fractured during a rope course at the Academy last year, the  soon-to-be Army officer  was still able to emerge as Brigade Commander.

Mariz said she too faced the pressure of trying to excel in the military training institution to measure up to the achievements of her brother.

Still, the  “fighters within” the siblings emerged.

Marvic will receive the Chief of Staff Saber and is number 31 in their class while Mariz will be getting the Department of Tactical Officers Plaque and another Conduct Award .  She is number 12 in the class's honor roll.

“Suportahan lang,” said Mariz.  "We saw to it that we  have each other's back. Moral support served us best. We try to inspire each other every day."

Marvic is the first Cordilleran to become class baron,  while Mariz is  the fifth female  in the honor roll.

Their third sibling , 15-year-old Maiko, who is  in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur,    also wants to enter the PMA, they said.

“But we are discouraging her. Two in the Army is enough,” Marvic said.