We arrived on the morning of 01 April 1995 by bus. There were 408 of us then. We were met by upperclassmen who hollered and shouted orders to us while we obeyed with fear in our hearts. So this was the PMA's version of Reception Day. It would be the commencement of two months of training, the Beast Barracks, held at the quarters in Mayo Fields. We all underwent the same training. Classes were held in the morning and afternoon. This was scheduled alternately with rifle exercises, grass drills and dismounted drills and not to forget "mase-mase" which was the favorite physical training regiment of our upperclassmen.



     Come Incorporation Day, we felt awkward in our new gray uniform as we joined the ranks of the Cadet Corps. Nevertheless, we managed to wear it with pride as we marched with the cadence of our own heartbeats. After an open house and a picnic, we were granted a few hours of privilege with our loved ones.

     On June 12, the upperclass Corps and a few plebes went down to Manila for the Independence Day Parade. They were gone for a week which made us Kings and Queens of Barracks. We savored our freedom as we loitered in the hallways and clubrooms while our classmates in Manila made the most out of their evening privileges.

     Recognition Day was held in September of that same year. Our plebehood woes cut in half, we gave a rousing performance as we made one of the biggest octagon formations in the history of the Corps. The weeks spent practicing for this day made everything worth it as we felt the firm and blessed handshakes of our upperclassmen. At this time, our class already had a name. "Masikhay" short for "masikap sa buhay" which meant industrious, diligent and resourceful. We would need these qualities as we prepare for more challenging days ahead.

     In December, it was time once more for the Corps to go down to Manila for the AFP Anniversary Parade. This time, we went with them and enjoyed the privileges afforded us after the afternoon drills. Then it was back to Baguio for us. We had our Superintendent's Hop and a victorious parade in January upon the arrival of our upperclassmen from their two-week break.


     As we turned into yearlings, the chevron that we earned meant more responsibilities. We received the Class of 2000 in Borromeo Field in the same way that we were received by the Class of 1997 a year ago. Meanwhile, half of our class went to Manila for the Orientation Tour. We were given a glimpse of the different branches of service that we will later choose to go to.

     By November of 1996, the Host-Parents Program was launched, giving us the opportunity to meet our foster families. Their homes would later be our shelters and their families, an added source of strength and inspiration as we hurdled the rigors of life inside the academy.

     During Cow year, we were allowed to choose our branches of service. Half of our class went to the Army while the rest were equally distributed in the Navy and Air Force. We also became Plebe Details and Squadleaders to Class 2001. It was our turn to demonstrate our brand of leadership as we instilled the discipline and ideals to the Corps in conformity with the PMA motto and the signs of the times. By November, we took charge of the Corps as the firstclassmen left for their OPC.

     Our first major project as transitory officers was the Barrio Fiesta '98. The central theme of the event focused on positive leadership in order to give the Corps a new direction. In this activity, the gaiety of the traditional barrio fiesta is maintained but celebrated the PMA way.


     
     As the Christmas season came, we prepared for the Belen and Lantern-making and the annual 100th Nite Show. The latter along with the Cadets on Display were brought to Camp Aguinaldo in Manila to coincide with the celebration of the anniversary of the Armed Forces. The success of these activities enabled us to breathe sighs of relief as we happily proceeded to take our Christmas leaves.

     We finished our academic semesters by December and got ready for our Officer's Preparatory Course. This allowed us a glimpse of the respective branches of service that we chose. We learned that there was much to be done in the armed forces but we have enough of "masikhay" in us to do what is needed.

     After our OPC, we went back to the Academy to prepare for our Graduation Week. On March 28, 1999, our class of 216-strong men and women graduated with 26 starmen, the most in any class so far. We have come a long way from that warm day in April where we came to PMA as young boys and girls. With a final tossing of the cap, we walked away from Borromeo Field as full-pledged lieutenants...