What a woman can do
August 6, 2006 | 12:00am
I am a woman phenomenally, phenomenal woman, that’s me... – Maya Angelou
Living in a man’s world is, indeed, never an easy undertaking.
However, it is a fulfilling experience for a woman, especially when you know you are excelling and, most especially, when you are the first female battalion commander. This means bearing the challenge of keeping up with the guys in most activities while not forgetting you were born a female.
Before I decided to become a cadet, I was in my second year of tapping those computer keys, spending more time making programming projects than lying in my comfy bedroom. I was a BS information technology student at the University of San Carlos-Cebu when I heard about the Philippine National Police Academy. I had already flirted with the idea of becoming a cadet since I was in high school. So having been given the opportunity to become one, I just grabbed hold of it. My first year in the academy was truly unforgettable. One of the best was ranking first in my batch of 250-plus cadets. Nevertheless, imagine yourself being deprived of the freedom to speak out whenever you want to, barred from tasting your favorite drinks and snack foods even when you crave them, and being denied the chance to do what you want in the luxury of your own free time. I felt like the world had totally turned upside down for me. There were times during my first days of cadetship when I considered quitting. But seeing that other females had survived to become "immaculate," I pushed forward, unmindful of what hurdles lie ahead of me. I would not deny that there were times when I said to myself, "What in the world am I doing here?" I had never thought that I would manage living a life similar to those of my counterparts.
I was wrong in thinking that this man-dominated arena would never level the competitive playing field for both sexes. I owe my confidence to aim for the top to my mentor and female squad leader when I was a plebe. She landed third among her class’ final order of merit despite her responsibility as a cadet officer. "I could do that," I said to myself. Three years passed without my noticing. When our tactical officers opened up the selection for cadet officers, I excitedly jumped from my seat and tried my luck. Some of the many things that were considered as qualifications were academic grades, tactical grades, the number of demerits compared to merits, a panel interview, aptitude ratings, posture, bearing and the like. I could safely say that maybe I was made for the position since I am here, basking in the fulfillment of my short-term aspiration, despite the rigid selection process.
I had my share of frustrations when the first wave of reactions by the Cadet Corps was a show of hesitation and reluctance to the sudden shift of power, the sudden change. No praise was offered; instead, nothing but negative criticisms. "What can a woman do?" was the usual utterance filling the air. There was a moment when I thought I would never get through my predicament. The pressure was weighing heavier each passing day but it died out eventually. I had sleepless nights thinking of how to meet those expectations, how to please everybody with my performance and how to keep up with my other concerns and responsibilities as a cadet. Nevertheless, I say I was truly blessed to be given the chance of a lifetime to exercise my leadership skills and the ability to influence others with my personal convictions and beliefs. Consequently, I never missed a chance to leave them all in awe and make them continue to believe in "what a woman can do." I love encouraging the youth so they will come to realize that they have a special purpose in this world and inspiring those who feel they do not have any. A true leader, regardless of gender, never runs from challenges even if they are seen as insurmountable. Instead, they embrace these like an ally for, in reality, these are what lift them above the ordinary.
As you have now known, my story started with a dream. I had dreamed of becoming a cadet officer since I was a plebe. This single-minded undertaking led me to choose to do things above the ordinary. "If the others can, then why can’t I?" was the constant prodding I gave myself. I never entertained the idea that males are superior compared to females. I see these two entities as co-equal in special terms. There are things that they can do that are obviously above our capability. Of course, we cannot deny certain physiological differences and have to deal with that, whether we like it or not. A verse in the Bible tells us to be careful in what we think, because we risk becoming like our foes. We must always have a positive outlook in life to achieve our goals and to make even the most impossible things possible. This is perhaps hard to believe for those who haven’t tried it yet.
Dreams are made for free, so dream big. Never forget to couple those dreams with good deeds, for advantageous results will surprisingly unfold. Always consider yourself a dreamer as much as a believer. I have great conviction that the opportunity to become an achiever and the chance to experience success starts with a dream. The thing that drives us, on the other hand, is faith in ourselves. Only when we believe that we can, do we begin to climb hills and manage to move mountains.
The Philippine National Police Academy will administer the cadet admission test for Class 2011 on Oct. 29 in 23 test centers nationwide. For details, contact (049) 545-5939 and (049) 545-5940. PNPA applications forms can be downloaded at www.pnpa.edu.ph.
The author is the 1st Female Battalion Commander, Cadet Corps of the Philippine National Police Academy.
Living in a man’s world is, indeed, never an easy undertaking.
However, it is a fulfilling experience for a woman, especially when you know you are excelling and, most especially, when you are the first female battalion commander. This means bearing the challenge of keeping up with the guys in most activities while not forgetting you were born a female.
Before I decided to become a cadet, I was in my second year of tapping those computer keys, spending more time making programming projects than lying in my comfy bedroom. I was a BS information technology student at the University of San Carlos-Cebu when I heard about the Philippine National Police Academy. I had already flirted with the idea of becoming a cadet since I was in high school. So having been given the opportunity to become one, I just grabbed hold of it. My first year in the academy was truly unforgettable. One of the best was ranking first in my batch of 250-plus cadets. Nevertheless, imagine yourself being deprived of the freedom to speak out whenever you want to, barred from tasting your favorite drinks and snack foods even when you crave them, and being denied the chance to do what you want in the luxury of your own free time. I felt like the world had totally turned upside down for me. There were times during my first days of cadetship when I considered quitting. But seeing that other females had survived to become "immaculate," I pushed forward, unmindful of what hurdles lie ahead of me. I would not deny that there were times when I said to myself, "What in the world am I doing here?" I had never thought that I would manage living a life similar to those of my counterparts.
I was wrong in thinking that this man-dominated arena would never level the competitive playing field for both sexes. I owe my confidence to aim for the top to my mentor and female squad leader when I was a plebe. She landed third among her class’ final order of merit despite her responsibility as a cadet officer. "I could do that," I said to myself. Three years passed without my noticing. When our tactical officers opened up the selection for cadet officers, I excitedly jumped from my seat and tried my luck. Some of the many things that were considered as qualifications were academic grades, tactical grades, the number of demerits compared to merits, a panel interview, aptitude ratings, posture, bearing and the like. I could safely say that maybe I was made for the position since I am here, basking in the fulfillment of my short-term aspiration, despite the rigid selection process.
I had my share of frustrations when the first wave of reactions by the Cadet Corps was a show of hesitation and reluctance to the sudden shift of power, the sudden change. No praise was offered; instead, nothing but negative criticisms. "What can a woman do?" was the usual utterance filling the air. There was a moment when I thought I would never get through my predicament. The pressure was weighing heavier each passing day but it died out eventually. I had sleepless nights thinking of how to meet those expectations, how to please everybody with my performance and how to keep up with my other concerns and responsibilities as a cadet. Nevertheless, I say I was truly blessed to be given the chance of a lifetime to exercise my leadership skills and the ability to influence others with my personal convictions and beliefs. Consequently, I never missed a chance to leave them all in awe and make them continue to believe in "what a woman can do." I love encouraging the youth so they will come to realize that they have a special purpose in this world and inspiring those who feel they do not have any. A true leader, regardless of gender, never runs from challenges even if they are seen as insurmountable. Instead, they embrace these like an ally for, in reality, these are what lift them above the ordinary.
As you have now known, my story started with a dream. I had dreamed of becoming a cadet officer since I was a plebe. This single-minded undertaking led me to choose to do things above the ordinary. "If the others can, then why can’t I?" was the constant prodding I gave myself. I never entertained the idea that males are superior compared to females. I see these two entities as co-equal in special terms. There are things that they can do that are obviously above our capability. Of course, we cannot deny certain physiological differences and have to deal with that, whether we like it or not. A verse in the Bible tells us to be careful in what we think, because we risk becoming like our foes. We must always have a positive outlook in life to achieve our goals and to make even the most impossible things possible. This is perhaps hard to believe for those who haven’t tried it yet.
Dreams are made for free, so dream big. Never forget to couple those dreams with good deeds, for advantageous results will surprisingly unfold. Always consider yourself a dreamer as much as a believer. I have great conviction that the opportunity to become an achiever and the chance to experience success starts with a dream. The thing that drives us, on the other hand, is faith in ourselves. Only when we believe that we can, do we begin to climb hills and manage to move mountains.
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