Magsaysay at PMA alumni homecoming

Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. will be the guest of honor and speaker at the Philippine Military Academy’s alumni homecoming on Sunday at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City.

Commodore Carlos Agustin, chairman of the PMA Alumni Association, said Magsaysay will address more than 2,000 PMA graduates, who are returning to their Alma Mater to relive their cadet days and review the fine ideals of the academy.

The senator will also join the alumni and the cadet corps during the traditional parade and review at the Borromeo Field.

Highlighting the affair will be the presentation of the Cavalier Awards to nine outstanding alumni in different fields.

This year’s awardees are Col. Efren Zaide (1955), Private Enterprise; Police Director General Leandro Mendoza (1969), Police Professional in Command and Administration; Gen. Dionisio Santiago (1970), Military Professional in Command and Administration; Brig. Gen. Jose Ll. Reyes (1973), Military Professional in Staff Functions; Lt. Col. Eduardo Oban Jr. (1979), Military Professional in Air Operations; Lt. Col. Ariel Querubin (1979), Military Professional in Navy Operations; Senior Superintendent Alan Purisima (1981), Police Professional in Police Operations; Capt. Alex Espinosa (1990), Outstanding Accomplishments in the Technical Field; and Capt. Jesus Durante III (1992), Military Professional in Army Operations.

The Cavalier Awardees were selected by the board of directors of the PMA Alumni Association from among several nominees for their outstanding accomplishments in the last five years.

Also included in the program is the oathtaking of the members of the board of directors for 2003-2004, headed by Commodore Agustin as re-elected chairman and Police Director Avelino Razon Jr. as incoming president.

Among the celebrators during this year’s homecoming are members of Class 1943-Diamond Jubilarians, Class 1953-Golden Jubilarians, and Class 1978-Silver Jubilarians.