A young man from Kapangan, Benguet emerged on top of this year’s Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Officer Candidate Course (OCC), beating 608 of his co-trainees from all over the country.
Probationary 2nd Lieutenant Mhel Lucas Empiso, who hails from Kapangan, Benguet, said during the joint graduation ceremony of the Major Services Officer Candidate Course (MS OCC) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday, Dec. 13, that he was not the smartest nor the strongest in his class but it was his dedication and persistence which earned him the distinction of topping the OCC.
“I want to emphasize that hard work and consistency can triumph over mere talent. Looking back on the training we had, the challenges almost made us give up, but we stood up and fight for our dreams,” he said in his valedictory address witnessed by President Marcos Jr., Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and AFP Chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
The OCC is a one-year rigorious training program program for all qualified baccalaureate degree holders who aspire to lead and serve as commissioned officers of the AFP. Graduates of the OCC are given the rank second lieutenant or ensign upon entering the AFP’s regular force.
This year’s graduation was composed of 609 graduates: 361 cadets from the Philippine Army (PA) “Katarakian” Class 61-2024; 173 cadets from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) “Sigmandigan” Class 2024; and 75 cadets from the Philippine Navy (PN) “Mangisalakan” Class 42-2024.
Brawner congratulated the graduates, their parents and their families, saying that they are now ready to be the future leaders of the AFP.
“This marks a significant occasion as we celebrate not just an end, but the commencement of the vital roles that you, our graduates, will play within the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the military chief said.
Hardships
However, the glorious moment did not come easy for Empiso.
He recalled that there were times he could not help but cry in the wee hours of the night while praying to the Lord to give him strength due to the difficulty of the training he had to endure.
“All those challenges made us wiser, stronger and bolder,” he said.
Now, Empiso said he and his co-graduates have surpassed the “transformative training” in the OCC but he noted that it was only the beginning for them.
‘Defend the Constitution’
Further, Empiso urged his fellow graduates to always “do the right thing to defend the Constitution.”
“Our journey is just beginning and we know that the challenges ahead will be great. As we step into our new roles as officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we must uphold the highest standards of discipline expected from us. We must be able to quickly grasp the military’s chain of commands, traditions and ethical guidelines critical in our transition to our new leadership roles,” he said.
“Let us stand ramrod straight in doing the right thing to defend the Constitution that we hold dearly as patriotic citizens. Lastly, we must remember that every decision we make, every order we give, and every life we touch reflects not only on ourselves, but on the values of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.
Empiso thanked his parents, Catrine and Melicio, for supporting his dream of becoming an AFP officer.
“I hope I continue to make you proud. Rest assured that I will continuously uphold the values you taught me and be humble yet passionate in all my endeavors,” he said.
Awards
Marcos Jr. conferred awards to the top four students from the Army, Air Force, and Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) during the ceremony, and handed over the diplomas to the class president of each class.
For topping the OCC, Empiso received the Presidential Saber Awardee and P1 million from the AFP financial institutions, according to Col. Harold Cabunoc, commandant of the Philippine Army Officer Candidate School (PAOCS).
Other awardees include:
(Philippine Army OCC "Katarakian" Class 61-2024) – P2Lt. Arman A. Canono, from Kidapawan City, Cotabato, Secretary of National Defense Saber awardee; P2Lt. Jeselle G. Morilla, from Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Chief of Staff AFP Saber awardee; and P2Lt. Jhon Mark M. Amianes, from Matalam, North Cotabato, Commanding General, Philippine Army Saber awardee;
(Philippine Navy OCC “Mangisalakan” Class 42-2024) – P/Ens. Earl Manuel F. Bendo, from General Emilio Aguinaldo, Cavite, Presidential Saber awardee; P/Ens. Lord Jansen D. Tavares, from Sto. Tomas, La Union, Secretary Of National Defense Saber awardee; P/Ens. Mark Ely M. Sernal, from San Ramon, Bula, Camarines Sur, Chief Of Staff AFP Saber awardee; P2Lt. Jaynard D. Alvarez, from Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy Saber awardee;
(Philippine Air Force OCC “Sigmandigan” Class 2024) – P2Lt. Phinam Jethro S. Garcia, from Pulang Lupa 2, Las Piñas City; Presidential Saber awardee; P2Lt. Sheinna F. Domingo, from Western Bicutan, Taguig City, Secretary Of National Defense Saber awardee; P2Lt. Shan Ryck L. Largo, from Rosario, Northern Samar, Chief Of Staff AFP Saber awardee; and P2Lt. Paula Q. Guillermo, from Bulihan, Silang, Cavite, Commanding General, Philippine Air Force Saber awardee.