Being women and the best at the PMA

BAGUIO CITY — More than four years ago, Tara Jaime Velazco and Michelle Cruz were high school graduates with no particular careers in mind.

Tara, the eldest of three children, wanted to be a commercial pilot but she knew how formidable the odds would be. Her mother had to work as a caregiver in Israel and even failed to see her graduate as valedictorian of her high school class at the Tarlac Agricultural College. Her father Rodel made do with whatever odd jobs he could get his hands on.

Michelle, of Batasan Hills, Quezon City, had just graduated from an all-girls high school when she read in the newspaper about then Cadet First Class Arlene de la Cruz, the first woman to top a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class.

Tara and Michelle both took the PMA exams, along with 12,000 other aspirants. Eventually, more than 300 of them made it.

But that’s not the end of it. The 300 were further whittled down to nearly a third — to 102, who now compose the PMA Class of 2003. To top it all, Tara will graduate on March 20 at the top of her class, and Michelle the fourth.

Reporters caught them last week training for their bigger battles. Tara and Michelle showed off their skills in combat shooting and martial arts, which they acquired during their four-year stay at the country’s premier military educational institution.

Honing their combat and martial arts skills are necessary, knowing fully well that they need to be armed and deadly especially when they join their respective units after their March 20 graduation. Tara will join the Army, and Michelle the Navy.

Tara looked so furious as she executed her strong punches and sweeping techniques — a true karateka, indeed. Michelle, for her part, was so impressive with her spinning back kick, a deadly maneuver for a taekwondo jin.

The two women also showed off their combative shooting skills with M-14 rifles at their training camp at the PMA.

Though armed and deadly, Tara and Michelle admit that it’s still a long way to go before they master the "art of war."