Some 293 new defenders of the Philippine Republic graduate

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 20): Some 293 new defenders of the Philippine Republic graduate

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, November 20 (PIA) - Samar community welcomes in its fold some 293 new defenders of the Philippine Republic.
These were some of the words uttered by Rep Emil Ong, as guest of honor and speaker in the candidate soldiers’ graduation on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at the 8th Infantry Division headquarters of the Philippine Army.

In his message, Ong honored the graduates who stood under the heat of the sun while their parents proudly clapped and watched their children who hurdled the rigorous physical and mental training for seven weeks.

Of these graduates, 20 come from Luzon, 64 from Mindanao and 209 of them come from Eastern Visayas. The youngest is 18 years old while the oldest is 33 with special skills though.

The graduates are a combination of two batches, the first batch 365-14  is led by top one soldier Pvt Jury Lanquino who yielded an average grade of 95.05; the second batch 366-14 is led by Pvt Rey Marino with 95.85 general average.

As to educational background, 118 are high school graduates, 154 of them are college undergraduates while 21 are college graduates.

“These are the smartest soldiers,” said 8th ID Commanding Officer Jet Velarmino.

As Pvt Noel Palacio ate lunch with his parents after the ceremony, he narrated that he is duty bound to give his parents a better life as his father is a farmer in Jaro, Leyte. His mom was teary-eyed as she talked of convincing her first born to forget being a soldier as she feared for his life.

“My son was determined and I am just glad he did not complain during the training. I see him now as a soldier who can defend his country,” Joselita Palacio said.

Pvt Jovy Caluya ate his lunch alone, his parents from Antique could not make it. But he talked to them on his cellphone the night before  which was enough encouragement. Like Palacio, Caluya is also the eldest son and he wants to assume the responsibility of taking care of his four siblings as his father is also a farmer.

The two young soldiers along with 291 classmates  took their oath  as dedicated and disciplined defenders of the country and to uphold human rights as they perform their duties.

The soldiers were also given rosaries. The rosaries are to help keep in memory certain principal events or mysteries in the history of salvation and for God’s blessings.

As the last part of the program unfolded, the 293 new defenders met their families with the hindsight that challenges await them in the real battlefield.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1221416463437/some-293-new-defenders-of-the-philippine-republic-graduate