The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) held its alumni homecoming at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City on Saturday but unlike in the previous years, there were fewer attendees in the annual gathering which was attributed to the threat of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Captain Cherryl Tindog, PMA Spokesperson, said a total of 1,018 participants were recorded this year, lower than the 1,985 and nearly 2,000 in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
“The decision to close the alumni homecoming to the general public is part of our precautionary measures to limit the number of crowd coming in. We all know the struggle that we are having with the coronavirus,” Tindog said.
Only members of the PMA Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) and their immediate families, academy personnel, and several others tasked to document the event were allowed to enter Fort del Pilar.
Even members of the media were barred from participating in the event.
It was the first time in the past decade that the press were prohibited from covering the event, Tindog said.
Despite the strict measures, Tindog said the annual gathering went “fine.”
The oldest Cavalier who attended the 2020 alumni gathering was 82-year-old Cavalier Carlos Agustin. He is a member of the PMA Class of 1959.
On the other hand, the youngest Cavalier was 21-year-old Cavalier James Benedict Barranco. He is a member of the PMA “Mabalasik” Class of 2019.
CAVALIER AWARD
Meanwhile, the PMAAAI bestowed the Outstanding Cavalier Award to 12 of its members bannered by Senator-Cavalier Panfilo Lacson and Information and Communications Technology Secretary-Cavalier Gringo Honasan.
Lacson and Honasan, both members of the PMA “Matatag” Class of 1971, were given the Outstanding Cavalier award for public administration.
The other awardees include: former Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop (public administration); Defense Undersecretary Ariston delos Reyes (alumni affairs); Engineer Bernardo Fabula (private enterprise); retired Police Major General Lyndon Cubos (staff functions); Army Brig. Gen. Nemesio Gacal (command and administration);
Police Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel (police operations); Coast Guard Capt. Charlie Rances (coast guard operations); Air Force Col. Perfecto Magalong Jr. (air operations); Marine Lt. Col. Rowan Rimas (naval operations); and Army Cavalier Mark Anthony Ruby (army operations).
The host classes for the 2020 alumni homecoming were the Classes of 1960 (diamond jubilarians); 1970 (golden jubilarians); 1995 (silver jubilarians); 2000; 2005; 2010; and 2015. (Martin Sadongdong)
