Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso took an oath as a new member of Sanlingan Class 2005 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Friday (March 12).

Domagoso and other key personalities such as Batangas Vice-Governor Mark Leviste, LT. Commander Diether Ocampo of Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Technical Sgt. Willy Caliboso of Philippine Airforce and Reynaldo Laboy Jr. took an oath as adopted members of Sanlingan Class 2005 of PMA at the Manila City Hall on Friday.

The local chief executive felt honored and grateful to be part of the new members of the class despite the pandemic.

“Thank you, going to PMA, being accepted along PMA is hard, passing PMA is really hard. We know the sufferings and dedications here by every class, everybody of the PMA. You are the prim of the crowd that's why I'm honored na masama niyo kami di ko alam kung ano ang nakita niyo sa akin (to be included in your class. I don’t know what you saw in me) but I'm grateful and thankful for each and every one,” he said during the oath-taking ceremony.

According to Domagoso, despite the differences among Filipinos, the country and the citizens remain united as one.

“We may have differences in languages, culture, and traditions and in fact naturally we have been divided by nature that isang Pilipinas tayo nothing more, nothing less. isang bansa, isang diwa sa puso natin, tayong lahat ay Pilipino (One country, one spirit in our hearts, we're all Filipinos),” Domagoso said.

“Pipilitin ko na maipagmalaki niyo naman ako na hindi kayo nagkamali, pipilitin ko sa munti kong kaparaanan ng mabuting bilang bagong kasapi ng 2005 Sanlingan class ng PMA yun na lang ang isusukli ko sainyo sa binigay niyo sa aking karangalan (I will do what it takes in my way as a new member of 2005 Sanlingan class of PMA. So that I can repay you for giving me an honor), as I have said it is not easy to be part of PMA it’s no joke,” he added.

The nation’s capital took part in the history that had happened in the country, according to Domagoso.

“Sa bulwagan ng lungsod ng Maynila at makikita niyo na dito isinasaad ang kasaysayan ng buong bansa ay halos naganap dito sa kapitolyo ng ating bansa (In the city hall of Manila you can see that the history of the whole country which almost took place here in the capital of our country)” he said.

“Sabi nga ng awit ng Maynila 'Maynila, Maynila dalhin mo ang bandila' yan ang isang awit ng aming lungsod na iniaalay sa lahat ng taong dadako sa lungsod ng Maynila ay simbolo ng pag-asa, simbolo ng oportunidad, simbolo ng pagkakaisa tulad ng ginagawa ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ng Maynila (The song of Manila says 'Manila, Manila bring the flag' that is a song of our city that is offered to everyone who comes to the city of Manila is a symbol of hope, a symbol of opportunity, a symbol of unity as what the current Manila administration is doing),” the city mayor added.