By: Cdt. Francel Margareth A. Padilla
April Fool's Day 1996. A day whose memories would forever linger in the minds of the New Cadet Battalion, the PMA Class of 2000. As our bus approached the peak of the long, winding climb, we inhaled the exhilarating fresh mountain air of Baguio City ... PMA at last! It is the day we were to be "welcomed" into the Academy. Our Reception Day!
We were ushered into Melchor Hall for lunch. Little did we know that it was to be our last meal in silence. We were declared at ease for the succeeding minutes and we savored every moment of it. finally, the whistle sounded. It was time! "This is it!" I told myself. I gave out a sigh and we formed at the quadrangle, listening to last minute instructions and marched off towards the sacred Borromeo Field bound to trek the path towards being a soldier. The band was playing "You're in the Army Now!" ...
I had mixed emotions. I was proud, but on the other hand, I was scared. I felt cold beads of perspiration trickling down my brows. I waited in awe for the arrival of our "receptionists." Finally, in what seemed to be a long wait, they came, marching and forming in front of us. As the order for them to fall out echoed in our ears, confusion struck me. I heard them shouting "Aaaargh!!!" as the dreaded "receptionists" came crashing through. It was more like a stampede or a hurricane. Thoughts of the comforts of home whizzed through my mind, but there was no turning back now. Tomorrow begins where I was standing back then. It was intoxicating, warning me: "Beware the wrath of the Yearlings ...!"
Orders for exercises were heard all around me. There was no time to think of what to do next. All one had to do was follow orders. Exhaustion was a word unheard of. Time seemed to have stopped functioning for all of us. What was perspiration a while ago turned to rivers of sweat flowing through the green grass of Borromeo Field, watering it. The anguish we welt was ad infinitum but it did last as we marched off in the direction of the Athletic complex to secure our new issues of paraphernalia. I stand corrected for it wasn't the end, but it marked the beginning of our journey to calvary and we bore our crosses of heavy load on our shoulders off to our next stop, the barber's place.
I watched my crowning glory fall to the floor leaving my head with a few inches of what was before my asset ... my long black hair. We then proceeded to what was to be our new home - the cadet barracks. We went up to the second floor where our room was located. As we moved in, an order was heard: "In 3 counts change to bathing uniform!" What was pride a few months ago was what I realized in that instant had to be swallowed, and it was really difficult. Everything should be done without hesitation nor second thoughts, no matter what it may turn out. But things weren't that simple. It was a tumultuous stage in my life. We took our refreshing bath within 5 counts, and boy I was refreshed! Back in our room, we fixed our things. All were done in rapid movements. Calmness was an unidentified word. Everything was a new learning experience. Matters deviated from civilian ways. How you viewed things depend on your state of mind.
Bugle sound for mess was called. Wearing our new BDA (Battle Dress Attire) uniforms, we marched towards the mess hall, which I learned later was supposed to be called "mess hell." Outside, the upperclassmen reach out their hands but not to reach out for you and console you, but for your knees to reach out while chanting: "Higher!" Back in the barracks, instructions were given once which one was supposed to immediately understand. As taps is heard, one has but to sigh in relief for the day is done. Tomorrow will be another day.
Being a plebe means living in the jungle where "survival of the fittest" reigns. In roadruns we chant: "I used to wear my blue jeans, now I'm wearing army green!" "Twas true ... I'm in the Army now!" It takes but a spoonful of patience sprinkled with determination and sweet success. Truly, "Life is not a problem to be solved, it is a mystery to be lived." I've proven that fact upon entering the Philippine Military Academy.
Foresight ... Incorporation Day!
Source: "The Corps" Incorporation Issue, 1997
