“Great!” This was how I expressed amazement and surprise upon reading news reports that PMA (Philippine Military Academy) Cadet Tom Puertollano made it to the top. I was curious not because I have friends and relatives there, but mainly because I saw the determination and sacrifices of Cadet Puertollano and his family.
As an ordinary daughter who does not come from a well-off family, who unfortunately was not given the privilege of being taller, and who once wanted to be a PMAer, I was inspired by the success of PMA cadets and their life stories.
Despite efforts of some to destroy the image of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, these PMA cadets will surely bring honor to the PMA and country as they grow old in the service. There is no perfect organization as they say, but the PMA continues to produce good future leaders. With their idealism, good values and right attitude molded by their four-year stay in the PMA, they will surely succeed as soldiers.
—ELLA JUBIL ELARTADO, ella_jubil@yahoo.com