Dec. 1 and the huge steel star one can see from Silang, Cavite to Tagaytay and across Laguna de Bay, was lit up to hail the beginning of the Nativity celebrations. In Manila, my grandson Pablo, who was to play a shepherd’s role, insisted on wearing his Batman costume. There began the battle between he and his mom regarding tradition versus the modern. For sure, propriety won and the shepherd in white hovered over a plaster of Paris doll in a crib at Xavier School.
For myself, I joined the whole Cadet Corps in maroon lined up before their respective company lanterns — Charlie, Hawk, Delta, Foxtrot, Alfa, Bravo, Echo, Golf — which identified their special camaraderie, competing for the most indigenous materials used. Corn husk, nipa, banana trunks, cogon grass all incorporated with twinkling lights. I realized what I thought was trash and nature’s nuisance could be incorporated in amazing Christmas displays. God is great! Every creation has its uses to help man. I could never conceptualize nor could my hands create a painted bird with Christ in its tummy or a giant Shaku in maroon. We had difficulty choosing the winner but, alas, Bravo won.
Another treat was unveiled. Fire crackers! Its ashes flew in the air and clung to our clothes and tresses as we inverted our plates to keep them ashless. I couldn’t see even seven feet away. The scene was too comical while the corps had to keep to their places with serious faces. I instinctively put the table napkin on my hair. Remembering etiquette, I quickly realized my faux pas, resigning myself to a midnight shampoo.
It was such a happy evening!
Years back, tragedy struck the giant star. The star was built out of bamboo in 1980. Reinforced in 1998 by the Kabalikat Class and Tanglaw Lahi Class of 1999, they thought it was complete. For years it withstood the day-to-day activities of the Cadet Corps, under the scorching heat of the sun and coldness of the pouring rain. The last hardship it endured was one typhoon. The academy lost the star to the wind, which smashed it against the barracks and a tradition was swept away.
What other custom could they talk about every Christmas? How could they carry on a tradition? The cadets of the Sansinirangan Class of 2007, Oman Silang Class of 2008, Kaisang Bisig Class of 2009 and Mabikas Class of 2010 chipped in from the P4,000 they got monthly. In four years a steel star was completed. Angle by angle, bit by bit, it slowly ascended, hoisted upward until it was finally high up in its dominating glory. The giant star received its warmest welcome. It had become indispensable, a symbol of integrity. She filled the academy with lights and songs of joy.
The academy’s last Christmas event, before the boys and girls packed their bags for a home break, was the Pamaskong Handog. It began with 105 stern and stiff-looking cadets marching on the velvet green parade grounds, stunning and attracting audiences with their silent drill.
Pamaskong Handog is held at Christmastime. It is a distinctively extraordinary party for Cavite neighbors from all walks of life, birth, religion and ages invited to join in this grand celebration of free food, drinks, entertainment and gifts to strengthen the bond that enables the community and the uniformed service to be “at ease” for peace on earth.
“The academy is not just the ‘Last Bastion of Hope’ for the uniformed service but a shelter of holistically developed potential community leaders.” Yes, sir! There were parlor games and talent shows to give happiness to our brethren. It gave the corps great pride. Believe me, I saw eyes shine and faces glowing with excitement and endless smiles. Around a thousand visitors arrived and youngsters flocked inside “castles” built by each company on the academy grounds.
There was a cardboard spaceship and forts in pink, blue, brown, winter land, and zombies and Santa Claus. What energy my students had acting as magicians and elves!
The cadets at 2 p.m. (Handog began at 8 a.m.) cleared the hallowed ground of the academy where the booths were temporarily established to return it to its formality. With that recently concluded event, the PNPA once again left a meaningful imprint on the hearts of its neighbors this Christmas season.
The cadet corps never forgets the importance of children’s participation in Christ’s birth. “They will grow up believing that there is still hope for a better tomorrow for them,” said Cadet First Class Johnny Boy Itcay of Philippine National Police Academy Masaligan Class of 2011.
“A man cannot live by himself alone,” said Cadet First Captain Neilmar Terol Retana. “Similarly, we in public safety need the community as much as it needs us.”
In exchange, I ask the readers to include the cadet corps in their prayers. Some are victims as early as after graduation of land mines and the New People’s Army’s firepower. But the whole corps since 1980 vowed to be worthy of the uniform and badge that they wear, to serve and protect.