DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Sunday called on new graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to “be many things at the same time” while ensuring they always remained true to their oath.
Speaking during the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bagsik Diwa” class of 2022, Duterte said although there is “some degree of change or transformation” among the cadets, they remain rooted to the basic concept of “soldiering.”
“Today, the man in uniform must be many things at the same time if he is to be relevant to the changing times. He must be both a warrior and a peacemaker; an arms-bearer and a pencil pusher; skilled in the art of war and adept as a lifesaver; an offensive machine and a fierce defender; a tribune and a diplomat; a soldier and a civil servant. You can be all these if you want,” he told PMA graduates at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City.
“In every country’s history, every generation of Filipino leaders and movers lies where our salvation and rests. You, the Bagsik Diwa Class 2022 belong to that generation,” President Duterte told the graduating members of the PMA “Bagsik Diwa” Class.
Duterte gave special congratulations to Krystlenn Ivany Quemado, the valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy BAGSIK-DIWA Class of 2022 and other top graduates who have shown “remarkable leadership qualities and academic excellence.”
In her valedictory speech, Quemado recalled “At a very tender age, I saw reality when I visited one of the camps in Mindanao, where my father used to be assigned,” recalling a memorable trip with Colonel Quemado, who now serves as the Inspector General of the Philippine Army. On the other hand, her mother, Loveleih, is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the Notre Dame of Marbel University.
“It was there that I saw the adversities of life, the modest life of the nearby communities, and the plight of the lowly soldiers who gave up the simple comforts of life,” she added.
Inspired by what she saw at the camp visit, Quemado then decided to pursue her dream of being in the military service in 2018. Four year since then, Quemado is now reaping all the perseverance and hardwork that she sowed.
“I knew I wanted to serve our people in whatever capacity I could, and simultaneously, I felt I was one with the soldiers. I felt their agony – of both sides wanting to have a better life. Somehow, I thought I had the best opportunity, that I could maximize my potential and utilize my capabilities for a more significant cause,” she said.
Amid the glitz and glamour brought by her recent feat, Quemado acknowledged the challenges and difficulties that the Filipino people face nowadays.
She then urged her fellow PMA graduates and the youth to be the catalysts for change by finding their purpose in life and using that to serve the nation.
“Now is our time to offer our contributions. As we are commissioned into the Armed Forces of the Philippines, may each and every one of us never get tired of working in our own small ways for the betterment of our people and our country,” she said.
“I send the same message to our fellow youth. You, too, have big roles to play. May you find the core foundation of your purpose in life. If you have found it, hold on to it. Dream high. Fight for it,” she continued.
“Be determined and strong to overcome the challenges. Your dreams and aspirations for our country are as important as ours. We and the rest of your AFP cannot do this all alone. What we can do is nothing compared to what we can do together,” she noted.
Quemado, who will join the Philippine Navy, is the seventh female valedictorian in the PMA history. The PMA started accepting female cadets in 1993.
Other cadets included in the Top 10 were Kevin John Pastrana from Baguio City; Ian Joseph Bragancia from Iloilo; Faithe Turiano from Camarines Sur; Yyoni Xandria Marie Tiu from Davao City; Jake Anthony Mosquera from North Cotabato; Jesie Mar Frias from Antipolo City, Rizal; Elvin John Oyo-a from Butuan City; Nerfa Minong from Zamboanga City; and Criselle Jane Rico from Zamboanga City.
The President, who delivered his last commencement address as the armed forces’ commander-in-chief, also told the graduates that his administration was constrained to adopt extreme legal measures to fight society’s ills, admitting, however, that although it made inroads after six years, the country is still facing multiple challenges.
“Corruption, red tape, and illegal drugs, and crime and criminalities are the wrongs that we need to correct,” he said.
