PMA Class 2024 ready for 'new normal,' takes oath
Published Jun 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin Sadongdong
A total of 350 cadets composing the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 2024 took their oath on Monday at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City for the start of their training amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
(PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Vice Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi, PMA Superintendent, presided over the oath-taking of the cadets who will be separated from the rest of their upperclassmen during the duration of their training.
The PMA Class 2024 is composed of 280 male and 70 female cadets.
Cusi said the cadets performed diagnostic exercises which served as a "benchmark of their physical strength and stamina" during the traditional reception rites while observing the minimum health standards such as wearing of face mask and practicing of physical distancing.
The rites deviated from the usual raucous ceremony, Cusi said.
Only selected PMA officers and a few upperclassmen were designated to facilitate on the grounds and record the performance of the incoming cadets. The rest of the Cadet Corps witnessed the events as spectators, he said.
"Today's reception rites is very different from what had been done before. In consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced all of us to the 'new normal', your class shall be undergoing the reception rites with only the PMA Community to bear witness to your first steps in the hallowed grounds of the Borromeo Field," Cusi told the cadets.
He said that at a surface look, the reception rites was a simple ceremony to test and gauge the cadets' physical strength prior to the formal start of the trainings.
However, in its symbolic and military tradition, the rites "herald the start of your regimented military life and your gradual transformation into professional and disciplined young military leaders," he added.
Major Cherryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson, earlier confirmed that the PMA Class 2024 will be "segregated" from the rest of the Cadet Corps.
"Part of the new normal na po that we segregate the cadets. Safe physical and social distancing protocol being observed po in the (It is part of the new normal that we segregate the cadets. Safe physical and social distancing protocols are also being observed among the Cadet Corps)," Tindog said.
Nonetheless, Cusi assured the new cadets and their families that they will "continue to adapt to this trying times while maintaining the highest standards of excellence and honor" of the country's primary military learning institution.
(PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Vice Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi, PMA Superintendent, presided over the oath-taking of the cadets who will be separated from the rest of their upperclassmen during the duration of their training.
The PMA Class 2024 is composed of 280 male and 70 female cadets.
Cusi said the cadets performed diagnostic exercises which served as a "benchmark of their physical strength and stamina" during the traditional reception rites while observing the minimum health standards such as wearing of face mask and practicing of physical distancing.
The rites deviated from the usual raucous ceremony, Cusi said.
Only selected PMA officers and a few upperclassmen were designated to facilitate on the grounds and record the performance of the incoming cadets. The rest of the Cadet Corps witnessed the events as spectators, he said.
"Today's reception rites is very different from what had been done before. In consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced all of us to the 'new normal', your class shall be undergoing the reception rites with only the PMA Community to bear witness to your first steps in the hallowed grounds of the Borromeo Field," Cusi told the cadets.
He said that at a surface look, the reception rites was a simple ceremony to test and gauge the cadets' physical strength prior to the formal start of the trainings.
However, in its symbolic and military tradition, the rites "herald the start of your regimented military life and your gradual transformation into professional and disciplined young military leaders," he added.
Major Cherryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson, earlier confirmed that the PMA Class 2024 will be "segregated" from the rest of the Cadet Corps.
"Part of the new normal na po that we segregate the cadets. Safe physical and social distancing protocol being observed po in the (It is part of the new normal that we segregate the cadets. Safe physical and social distancing protocols are also being observed among the Cadet Corps)," Tindog said.
Nonetheless, Cusi assured the new cadets and their families that they will "continue to adapt to this trying times while maintaining the highest standards of excellence and honor" of the country's primary military learning institution.