Class act: PMA Matikas ’83

In 1996, I was invited by Philippine Military Academy, Matikas Class of 1983 to be their class honorary member. Me? I was honored; I knew their officers. You see, I had caused the release of one of their mates, Gov. Chavit Singson, from a jail term due to an offense committed in the line of duty. I couldn’t meet the majority of the Matikas class. Meeting all of them at the same time was an impossibility because working in the government, for them, means being on call at all times.

I found out the class totaled 300 or so young men who reported to the Marine Barracks at the Bonifacio Naval Station on April 1, 1979; from there they were whisked off to Baguio City. Four years later, only 191 of these young men graduated as PMA Matikas Class of 1983, and received their commission as officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Their destiny, the role they would henceforth serve was not for themselves but to serve God, country and fellowmen.

Of the 191 graduates, 69 were originally assigned to the Philippine Army, 65 to the Philippine Constabulary, 29 to Philippine Navy and 28 to the Philippine Air Force. After their one-month leave to enjoy visits and show off their badges to their families and neighbors, the new lieutenants reported to their respective branches of service. 

Tougher times began. The Army and PC groups underwent the regular Scout Ranger training course in Tanay, Rizal. The Navy group reported to Fort San Felipe, Cavite City for their Naval Officers Qualification Course. David and Ronnie Mercado, the top two members of the Class who joined the Philippine Navy, were privileged to take the course in Australia.

The passage of 25 years became times of trials and challenges for each member, now celebrating their silver anniversary. A number of Class Matikas Aeras were implicated in the 1987 and 1989 coups — classmates on both sides of the fence. Soon enough, pressure and idealism bore their marks on those handsome faces and the muscular bodies. Their stout hearts and honorable uniforms bore the resoluteness of service to the country.

The Matikasans produced two commodores in the Coast Guard. Louie Tuason got his first star in early 2007 while Willy Melad received his own in late 2007. The rest of the class members achieved the rank of colonels, except for a very few. National prestigious awards did not elude the capabilities and achievements of the Matikasans. Mackoy Marcos and Rolly Aquino were the Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Cavalier Awards went to Matikas “Doers” Marcos for Army Operations in 1992, Allen Bantolo for Police Professional in Counter-Insurgency Operations in 1993, Rolly Aquino for Air Operations in 1994, Ed Año for Army Operations in 1996, Alex Balutan and Rene Santos for Navy Operations and Air Operations, respectively in 1998; Dundy Custodian for Air Safety Operations in 2005, Tom Banes for Police Operations in 2006, Bong Vise and Asher Dolina for Army Operations and Police Operations, respectively for 2007.

This stream of Cavalier awards displayed the stuff that the aspirations and victories of every Matikasan aim for in their military careers.

Among the Matikasans, Gani Yaco, Gil Lebin, Elmer Carillo and Jigs Agulan have the distinction of seeing their sons retracing their path in our Alma Mater, following the footsteps of their fathers as PMA cadets. Mabuhay sila!

The Class adopted a unique tradition of setting aside an  anniversary and a memorial day for its departed classmates. The “Matikas Day,” as it is now formally recognized, is celebrated every March 11, the anniversary date of their graduation. Each anniversary has become an outward expression of camaraderie and gratitude to those who have helped Matikas. Honorary member Atty. Louie Baltazar takes out of storage his giant candles and photographs of the departed PMA ‘83 to be positioned on their gravesites. Their parents and class members take the afternoon off to pray with the Army band, recreating burial honors. It is the affirmation of a class bonding together, responding in spirit with the truth that, even in death, no one is ever forgotten. 

The list is long for those in their heavenly quarters. Therry M. Pagunuran left all too soon as a cadet. At present, 19 of the “mistahs” are resting in our Mama Mary’s arms. Rey Alfabeto was shot on October 11, 1983 by his NPA guide while on SR test mission in Kilong-ulaw, Abra; Nelly Binarao was ambushed in Cagayan Valley in 1984; Bob Dela Rea and Gerry Duazo died in separate encounters in 1984; Louie Delos Reyes met with a fatal vehicular accident in Zamboanga del Norte; Kiko Dela Cruz succumbed to heat stroke while joining the marathon competition in 1984; Gil Remorin met with a vehicular accident in 1986; Bols Romero was murdered in the late ‘80s; Henry Zulueta died in an encounter in Nueva Ecija; Romy Lastimosa died of illness in Surigao del Norte; Enrile Buhangin died of brain tumor; Laonglaan Goce died of mysterious circumstances that have yet to be established until today; Jimmy Sampang died in a trainer plane crash; Erwin Golla died while piloting a Cebu Pacific plane that crashed in Misamis Oriental; Teteng Velasco was ambushed in Agusan Del Sur in 2000; Rovin Asperilla and Benjie Paat each succumbed to stroke, in 2000 and 2007, respectively; Cesar Villarin had a fatal car accident after attending the wake of Benjie, our US Air Force Academy classmate; Bob Ravina met his untimely death in a car crash in the US. So young to be taken away in the prime of their careers.

From among its ranks, the class produced five lawyers: Florentino Manalastas Jr, Benny Jose, Jeff “Punong” Manere, Wesley Barayuga in Iloilo City and Asher Dolina. Another honorary member, Tom Falgui, is a legal counsel for Matikas.

Those who have gone on to greener pastures abroad to support their families and who have yet to practice their Academy training in another field are Joey Sarroza, with Vietnam Airlines; Nap Bautista and the Coronel brothers, Nick and Lito, in Australia; Tep Lapena in Vancouver, Canada; Boyet Ancheta is in Seattle, Washington; Jun Balibalos in Houston, Texas; Freddie Dela Cruz in Orlando, Florida; Bong “Macho Man” Mercado is in Chicago, Illinois; Gil “GJ” Delos Santos in Corona, California; Lester Buenaobra in New York; Mike Salvani in Artesia, California working as the public works project manager of the City of Burbank; Lino Mercurio is a heart specialist in Atlanta, Georgia; Ernie Malapo is in Las Vegas, Nevada; Noli Borgonia in Fontana, California; Salvador Lusterio in Dayton, Ohio; Ed Lasam in Virginia; Jijon Romales in Montreal, Quebec Quebec; Raffy Labayo is also in Canada; Jun Tagulao should be in California; and Gel Sacramento is inspecting bikinis in Hawaii! (Ha, ha, joke only of mistah Dan Lucero.)

Some class members left the military service and opted for life as entrepreneurs. Considering the economies of the times — education, food, shelter — Jeff Almazan earns a living from wealthy golfers; Neri Caunte watches over three call centers; Dencio Acop has a security force; and Clarence Martinez is the CO of Tsuneshi Heavy Industries. Flying the friendly skies are JJ Magao and Dondi Custodio for Cebu Pacific; Jue Haurea (Hi Hue) and Bong Masmela for Philippines Airlines; Hec Atienza is part of the management team of AFPSLAI; and Jimmy Ylanan is currently marketing tires. Bong Silva flies for a private fleet of Lear jets based in Malaysia, while Mike Morales spreads the Good News of God’s Kingdom.

February 15 in Baguio: what a class treat. All rooms at the Baguio Country Club were taken by Matikas members. Years back Matikasans made khaki and white shirt the uniform for the Borromeo march. That was the cheaper outfit to save and raise money in support of those who traveled great distances to attend PMA Homecomings. Now we shall have to wear gray tailored suits for free. Thanks!

Time to remember, with a heavy heart, cadet life and the PMA rituals like Daniel Lucero and his batch mates undergoing plebe-hood trials and being ordered by their upperclassmen to run around the parade ground 100 times the whole night in the cold and darkness, risking getting reported for going out of limits, then returning undaunted to face the morning pressure of academic requirements — and what were they thinking all the while was “Don’t quit!” I thought that, too, at the Matikas initiation when I drank wine from a brandy glass to retrieve my class ring from Matikas members.

Those who “squat-thrusted” as Class ‘83 are encouraged to join Barangay Matikas. There is a strong need to catch up with each other, to reinforce our common thirst for direct updates and an acute sentimental angst brought by their entry into the middle-age crisis!