Homecoming 2002

No need to jump out of bed. The guests have all left and Baguio is back to its quiet state... almost. It is the day after the PMA Homecoming 2002 weekend.

The Philippine Military Academy’s yearly alumni homecoming is like no other alumni assembly in the country. One weekend each year, the graduates trek to the heart of the mountain where their academy proudly stands. They give tribute to the institution that molded them with strength of will and imbibed a standard of character. Once a year, they "go home" to their school, pleased to whoop or roar at what they have become – for many have lost touch with each other being assigned to faraway provinces.

I remember it was 1996 when I was invited to be an honorary member of the PMA Matikas Class of 1983. I was questioning their wisdom(!) Me? Are you sure? Thanks. The proposal challenged me, and the prospect was exciting, being a member of the exclusive fraternity.

The few friends I already had in that class encouraged me to accept the nomination. Colonel Sanny Gadot, then the class president, presented me before some members of the class and with the unanimous vote of the gentlemen, he conferred on me my honorary membership status.

Then again 2000 in the Baguio PMA homecoming the new Class ’83 president Alex Ignacio for my initiation made me drink a cup of red wine with the ladies PMA ring that they had made for me inside the cup. I drank all the wine and scooped out my mini ring! Confirmed...once again!

I have been part of their reunion but, alas, their traditions are sanctified by them and it must remain wholly theirs and their academy’s and I respect them for that as their friendships are treasures to me!

The relationship I have with the members of Class ’83 is special. They have graciously invited me to their homes and included me in all their plans for the class. They have never made me feel uncomfortable, always "AT EASE!" Their wives are close to me, and some of their children have became like mine. Because of this, I have had the opportunity to observe their husbands – in the splendor of their uniforms, they seem tough and rough, yet when they are with their children, all of them are as soft as marshmallows. In the Borromeo Field of PMA, as they wait for the annual alumni parade, they tease each other with jokes about when they were still cadets. It is fun to be part of a supposedly tough brotherhood – but they certainly know fun comes with duties.

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The past and present class presidents, Col. Boy Vaño and Col. Alex Ignacio, have never demanded from me more than what is expected of a mistah like...carrying a 12-pound rifle! In fact, the very few times they asked me for anything, it would take a condenser microphone to make their voices heard. I take it upon myself to volunteer services – whatever I can for the class. A house in Baguio is one of them. Every year, this house is a center of organized chaos for Matikas Class of ’83. For many years now, it has been the official headquarters of our class. For two days each year, this compound is filled with activity, with food always available to mistahs who wish to drop in. Because of its proximity to PMA, I welcome those who prefer to stay in my residence than in the hotel booked by the class. And, after the alumni parade, all the mistahs, their wives tugged by their children, troop to the Loakan house for the yearly picnic.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend this year’s festivities. All I could do was check and give instructions via the phone. The Baguio Country Club staff, the one chosen by the class to cater, braved a steep driveway to setup a sumptuous lunch. As always, a mamang sorbetero with his "dirty ice cream" cart came. A taho and fishball vendor was hired (exclusively) for the Matikas ’83 party. And as usual, two clowns entertained the children with games, face painting and balloons of different shapes and sizes. Everyone went home happy, especially the children, as there were more than enough prizes and gift items to give away. I have a fairly good idea how much time and effort were needed to prepare this weekend-long activity.

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Now, as most of my mistahs are back to work and the children are back in school, the clearing and the cleanings begin. My caretaker Robert has tidied up the compound surroundings happily with the cleaning ladies, Manang Claire and Merlita, who have washed all the linens. It’s always too quiet and sad in the compound they say, except for days like PMA homecomings. It brings laughter and shouts from the adults, and cries and fights in the compound from the children.

For my mistahs, the dust has hardly settled and class president Alex Ignacio is already finalizing the plans for next year’s activities. It will be a big year since in the year 2003 we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Matikas Class. In the meantime, let the organizers gather strength and bask in the success of this year’s celebrations and let the mistahs relish the renewed camaraderie. Class ’83 looks forward to next year – I am certain other classes do so too –hopefully without white hairs or balding heads or bigger tummies or extended waistlines.