Fighting for each other
It goes without saying that every school has its own alumni organization — as reliance and support are more often than not needed from its graduates — and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) as the premier military training institution in the country is no exception.
The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) is a non-profit organization that represents the alumni of the PMA. It has existed since 1948 and was registered as a corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1980.
Its purpose is four-fold: to promote camaraderie and mutual support among PMA graduates; to protect the PMA’s reputation and uphold its ideals of integrity, loyalty, and courage; to promote the general welfare and interests of its members; and to promote ethical standards and good governance in the uniformed services.
The activities of the association, aside from the annual membership meeting and convention on the fourth Saturday of January, include the alumni homecoming in Baguio on the third Saturday of February during which the Cavalier Awards are presented, publication of the bi-monthly Cavalier magazine, holding of annual Cavaliers family sports festival and, occasionally, Cavaliers Cup (golf tournament and shoot fest), symposia and seminars.
This year’s annual PMAAAI general membership meeting brought together 289 Cavaliers (as PMA alumni are called) with the AGMM called to order by Raul S. Gonzales (PMA ’75), chairman and CEO of the PMAAAI.
Reports were then given by Caesar Bernard N. Valencia (PMA ’90), incumbent PMA Superintendent, and George M. Bergonia (PMA ’95), PMAAAI president and COO, on the status and milestones of the PMA and PMAAAI, respectively.
The meeting also honored distinguished Cavaliers with the Outstanding Achievement Awards and these were presented to: Secretary Eduardo M. Año (PMA ’83), National Security Adviser; Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. (PMA ’85), Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (PAPRU); Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil (PMA ’91, Philippine National Police Chief; Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Q. Ezpeleta, PN (PMA ’91), Philippine Navy Flag Officer In Command; and Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura, PAF (PMA ’90), Philippine Air Force Commanding General.
A posthumous Valor award was also given to First Lieutenant Dhell Jhun C. Evangelista, Philippine Army (PMA ’06) for his exceptional bravery and sacrifice. He was killed in action in 2009 while leading his platoon against Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan.
The highlight of the event was the keynote speech from the Guest of Honor and Speaker, Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP), himself a lieutenant colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command.
MVP acknowledged the Cavaliers present that day were part of the 89 long years of tradition of the Philippine Military Academy. He mentioned that their alumni count amongst its ranks some of the most celebrated names in our nation’s history and that their commitment to protect and defend our country has been steadfast and enduring.
MVP also pointed out that the principles of leadership required in “his world of business” and in theirs (military) are similar, that they must be, in both instances, robust and constant, whether they stood in a war room or a board room.
MVP said that all of us were called upon to serve our country in one way or another, to exert our best effort and talents for nation building; that businessmen were no different from the women and men in uniform with regard to our common duty to improve peoples’ lives.
MVP recalled his own personal story of how he came from humble origins and of how, while working, he had an experience of what warfare and its dangers were all about, in his first job managing a coconut plantation in Sulu.
MVP mentioned that like the attendees he was a keen student of military affairs, and took inspiration from the great generals of history, like Hannibal and Napoleon, and our very own Gregorio Del Pilar and Antonio Luna.
None however inspired him more than Alexander the Great, Lord of Greece; and it was from Alexander that we can get three great lessons in leadership: First, to develop a vision and establish direction and propel that vision with indomitable will; second, to recruit and organize an army (people) to realize that vision; and, third, to energize, inspire, and motivate his people.
MVP also spoke about how warfare and conflict nowadays would be more complex and more lethal with artificial intelligence and cybertechnology. He said that “technology will define humanity’s next great conflicts — which we should do our utmost to avoid, but for which we should prepare.”
In closing, MVP spoke about the days before D-Day of June 6, 1944, when Allied forces crossed the English Channel to land on the beaches of Normandy, France. There was a serious search for a simple word to describe what they were fighting for. Finally, the consensus was this: “We are fighting for each other.”
“You and I might have separate responsibilities in our separate worlds. Despite these differences, we share a common mission — to protect our country’s vital interests. By peaceful means whenever possible. By staunch determination, if necessary. But always sure in the knowledge that we are fighting for each other.” *
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