Reception day

April 1 is a very memorable day for many people like me as it marks the day when we were ushered into a new life.

On April 1, 1987, my life was never going to be the same again after two words were said at the parade grounds of Camp Aquino in Tarlac, Tarlac.

The phrase "take charge" once meant something else, until that fateful day. I failed to finish what I started, but that April 1 experience will forever be a part of my life.

Many of the men that I was with in that parade ground are now Lt. Colonels in the Army and Air Force, Commanders in the Navy and Superintendents in the Philippine National Police.

April 1, with all the exercises, the heading up, chinning in, and the double timing is a date that doesn't mean April Fools Day to us. It is reception day when we did not only lose our long hair, but also we're sworn in as cadets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It was such a long time ago, but you'll be surprised at how those who were there way ahead of us continue to remember April 1st like we do.

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As we take a few days off for the Holy Week, let us not forget that this is not merely a time when we are off from work, but also a time to touch base with the Greatest Power.

I hope that aside from being able to go to the beaches, you will also spend some time to look up and pray to the Lord to thank Him for your blessings.

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The third race of the Formula 1 season will be in Malaysia this weekend with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso hoping to retain his hold of the overall lead.

The change in the point system makes it very important for a driver to rack up those first place finishes.

This will also allow those trying to catch up to really make a move and turn things around with a top finish in a race.

Michael Schumacher, who is returning to the grid after a few years of absence has at least managed to earn points in the first two races.

Although the solitary point he earned in Australia for a tenth place finish may not mean much, but it gives his fans a glimmer of hope that something big is bound to happen later this season.

Is Schumi going to win his eighth world crown, maybe not this year, but I believe he'll give it a run.

This Easter Sunday, there is something that racing fans can look forward to.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to my classmate Sandra Centino-Jones, who turns a year older today.

Advance greetings go to Atty. Fraulein Quijada, who is turning a year older tomorrow and to my godson Franchisco Santos, who is turning a year older on Saturday.

Congratulations also to the daughters of my compadre Axel Alazas - Adrianne Marie and Beatriz Irina Denise, who passed the recently released 2009 Bar Examinations.

More power to all of you! – THE FREEMAN

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