Ending the diaries

I realized that this blog is coming to an end. I mean not in the literal sense but some kind of an end to a chapter and a beginning of another one. In less than a month, I will have to end my diaries from the Melchor Hall and begin blogging outside of the Academy. I can't believe how time flies so fast. Imagine I have blogged a total of at least 5 years. Meaning, 5 years of my life is in cyberspace.

The first Ang Munting Bukayo appeared sometime in 2003. I did not know blogging then and I was plainly writing my thoughts and publish it in the web. I did not plan on doing it continuously and just enjoyed writing. In April 2004, I stopped blogging to devote my attention into coming back to PMA as a plebe. Through, a project in an IT subject, I resurrected this blog in January 2005 and had it hosted at blogspot ever since. I also attached the phrase: "Diaries from Melchor Hall" to mean that the blogs were written while I was a cadet. Again, I just kept on writing. I realized now that my blog has become somewhat of a diary of how one person copes up with cadetship and training inside the country's premier military institution. Every now and then, I read my previous blogs and feel that my life has been so exciting and rewarding in my own right. I guess the best teachers in our life are our experiences and the way we handle it.

Today, marks the last remaining days of "my diaries from Melchor Hall." Whether I like it or not, I will have to move on and embrace my incoming role as an officer in the Armed Forces. I do not think that I can stop blogging as of this time. I am still exploring what to do next once this blog ends. For sure, I will keep on writing.

To those who kept on coming back to this blog, I hope I have done you a little good by sharing my life in the same way that writing it has been very fulfilling. You can view the whole blog through the archives below.

Why I like Obama to get the Democrat Nomination?

I really do not write much about political issues in this blog. Not that I do not have a clue of these issues but I feel safer not writing about these things as I am a member of the Armed Forces and there are certain restrictions on how I should express my opinions especially on anything political. But then again, I think I am the first person that should have a concern on our political affairs. So for this blog I will write something political without necessarily compromising my being a member of the Armed Forces.

I have been following the news lately. Not because I am so interested with the brouhaha that is clouding our political arena, but more particularly, because I am so interested on who gets to become the Presidential Candidate of the Democrats in the US elections. In this entry, I will explain why I am giving attention to what is happening in the United States right now. In one end of this electoral contest is a wife of a former president and probably the first woman to reach this far in the race. On the other, is an African-American, whose popularity is so amazing in a country that almost went to civil war because of racial discrimation 40 years ago. I try myself to update with what is happening, reading facts about the candidates but the real reason why I can't get myself to ignore what is happening is the fact that I feel that I am witnessing a major change in the maturity of how America is holding its electoral process. I feel that this maturity is something that we Filipinos can learn from.

Last summer, I went on an On the job training in the different Infantry Batallions in Central Luzon. Going there, I had to pass through Pampanga, and I was so amazed reading all the good things people put up in front of their houses in support of their now-governor Panlilio. Again, I do not know much of the credentials of this priest but coming to think of it, a province actually voted for a priest who had no Political claims before he ran for office should tell us that something very good is happening in the maturity of these people. In the next months that we were a witness to, it seems to me that the Kapampangans were correct. Somehow, I pray that this will start a fire in the political consciousness of our people.

Being here in the Academy, many of the issues I read in the news can be confusing. Firstly, because I do not have all the time to really read all the details about certain issues leaving some holes when I try to digest the facts about it. And secondly, because I am not with the people to actually experience and get a good grasp of how these issues affect my countrymen in general. But then, in here, I am bombarded with subjects of nationalism, love of country and many other virtues that, in my young mind, to give up on this country is like committing a deadly sin deliberately. And so, every now and then, news that mark maturity and improvement delight in a way that I can not imagine. I am delighted because the society that I will be serving in a few days time is showing hope. I am delighted because there is hope for my people.

Now, with all the things that we find in our news right now, one can be distracted with the many revelations (or lies) that are thrown by one party to another. People complain about why so and so is like this and like that. But I would like to think that although some of the news that we see or read may not be that promising, the people on which this consciousness is being delivered are becoming mature in choosing what to believe in and realizing that their role is important in our democracy. I believe that we are in a period where the Filipinos are more discerning and more nationalistic. In some distant future, I am confident that we will become a better nation and everything that we hate about this country will just be remembered as nightmares of the past.

I like Obama to get the nomination (and hopefully become president) because in the history of the United States, this seemed to be impossible yet democracy is making it possible. I do not have a clue on how different he is in terms of policy with any other candidates but I know that if he wins, it will be setting a benchmark that I hope our country will emulate.

Anatomy of the Pangangaya

Often times, I find myself writing about peculiarities of life as a cadet in PMA. I remembered a few years back writing about the concept of “Vaultfiles” as we have it here. Then, I also wrote on several occasions about the significance of the Alumni Homecoming, Uncle Bobo and other traditions that we hold on to even if some people do not fully understand the value of these things to cadets and PMA graduates alike. Today, I write about a certain practice that has come to be significant among the cadets. I will write about the tradition of pangangaya.

During my Physical Fitness Test last 31 January, the mood was festive. Not that there was a fiesta or something only that we tend to put some festive mood on important events that our cadetship. Everywhere, one can see signs and other forms of ingenuity intended to boost the morale of the Firstclassmen who will be taking their last Physical Fitness Test at cadets. The festive mood is brought about by these things that really, although little actions, motivate us to do what we have to do to overcome such obstacle. It is our way of telling each other that we can do it. Most especially, it is the way of the underclassmen to say that they wish us the best in this significant chapter of our cadetship. Of course, this comes as a some kind of privilege as you go up the hierarchy of cadetship. Although the practice has evolved to sometimes include a downward shift of this practice, tradition dictates that this is given by a subordinate to a leader as a form of validation that they appreciate his or her leadership.

Of course, as cadets we look forward to these events. For my part, I was excited what was in store for me when I celebrated my birthday last year. I know that to a certain extent, the underclassmen are forced by tradition to extend to me the pangangaya since I was a firstclass cadet, the effort that they will put into doing it will give the idea how much they appreciate you as their leader. Believe me, even as an observer, you can see by comparison which upperclass is more appreciated than the other. Another aspect is that there are occasions when these traditions mark importance on certain parts of your cadetship. For example the privilege of being thrown into the pool at the sundial is only accorded to graduating cadets who celebrate important victories, their birthdays and, of course, during graduation day. As an underclass then, I marveled at the thought of me being “dunked” there. The joy is not on the actual practice since that pool is basically ice cold early in the morning but simply, it marks that you are already at a certain level that you have EARNED the right to be accorded such tradition. It is a privilege that is not earned easily but a reward for your hard work and perseverance. We pass on this tradition to celebrate our cadetship, to mark its triumphs and to express our appreciation for another.

This tradition also comes in various forms. On your birthdays, aside from the dunking at the Sundial Pool, you are given a grand welcome at the mess hall with various decorations being placed at the entrance or sometimes up to your seat. Sometimes, underclassmen will go into the trouble of composing some form of dedication to be read inside the mess hall for everyone to hear. These words although usually funny are, again, expressions of how they know you as a person. In most cases, it’s the only opportunity that they will have to call you things without the fear of being reprimanded or punished afterwards. Aside from birthdays, PFT’s are marked with certain rewards that you get after. The trend now is in giving chocolate drinks but they say it was different in the previous years. The true essence is to show appreciation. A kind of support to one another to say that we are happy for what you have accomplished.

These are the pangangaya’s that I received during the last PFT aside from those in kind that I already consumed (I had 5 chocolate drinks and lots of junk foods)

Believe it or not they made this mock-up... I found this "sleeping cadet" when I came back from mess

This is what the note said

This underclass really took advantage of the opportunity... The one on the side was saying "meron bang PFT?" in English... We should be flattered to be called Generals but the disappointment is when he signed his name...

This was the sign at the stairs. Although this was not intended for me particularly but I appreciated the "poetry"

I consider this one of the best, I found this after I went back to barracks being happy and all because I passed my PFT

Well, that's the little information I can share about this tradition. Forgive the lay-out...

Update and some funny things

Its not that I have nothing to post about, its just that I am confused what to post with the so many things that have happened in the past week that I have been hibernating.

First, I passed my last PFT sealing the deal with my already solved pull up problem. I have written something more "dramatic" about the whole experience but is reserving it for the Corps Magazine as my sort of farewell to that publication I so loved. Nonetheless, I will publish it here once that magazine issue comes out on graduation next month.

Another thing is that our rings have arrived and the feeling is just so surreal (but nice). I was not prepared for the time that I will lay my eyes on the ring that will mark me as a certified PMA Graduate. I spent the whole night wearing it even in my sleep... its weird but can you blame me...

I really do not have all the ideas to merit a good blog entry, there are just so many things that makes me happy these days. Anyway, I am posting some fun pictures that I saw in the past

This one was taken during my recent class field trip. I already found it funny the first time I saw it. This was taken at a communal forest, a somewhat protected forest somewhere in La Trinidad, Benguet. Of course, I know the intention for this sign but then at point blank I would think that the tree (or plant) that this sign was nailed on was some kind of sacred tree or something. The sign in other areas said to "keep out of the plantED AREAS." I guess thats what this sign was intended to mean.




This is another sign that I find funny in the same communal forest. If you try to analyze you would think that there is a thing called Cutting Trees. I imagine these are trees that cut other trees near it. Maybe its a result of mutation and all. I maybe shallow to find this funny but then again this is my blog.









Of course, the intention of this sign is obvious but then again, it was funny for me












If you look closely, you'll understand why this is so funny. I mean the MATTRESS is really for resting but this one is hilarious


Enjoy people...

PMA Video

This is the new PMA institutional video, the shorter version. The full one is around 15 minutes long. Anyway, I had the chance to see it for the first time last night and feel that it is a good video, something that is hip and kind of up-to-date -- plus of course it was made during our time as firstclassmen in PMA. I am sure it will be a while before the Academy comes up with another one. I will try to upload the longer one once I have the time nonetheless... enjoy this video only a few have seen this.