Don’t make a show during parade, PMA cavaliers urged

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — No more horsing around.

Alumni of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) have been discouraged from making a "show" in the traditional parade in today’s grand alumni homecoming.

In a letter addressed to all cavaliers, Brig. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, president of the PMA Alumni Association Inc., said such antics tend to turn what is supposed to be a solemn ceremony into a carnival.

"Every year, the practice has become more and more of a joke than an opportunity to view the state of morale and discipline of the corps. Thus, in the eyes of the young men in gray uniforms, this part of the military ceremony can be made into an instant chance to show off," he said.

Bagasin added that such antics have been unconsciously tolerated and have been seemingly "institutionalized."

"In this regard, we enjoin every cavalier to observe proper decorum during the parade for all alumni, from the time the ceremony starts until its completion," he said.

Every year, parading cavaliers present something new in the parade. Some even turn it into a venue to air political messages through banners, streamers and placards which they unfurl as they pass the grandstand.

This year, attention is focused on Class 1987, to which slain police Superintendent John Campos belonged. Campos’ mistahs would reportedly use the annual parade to air their cry for justice for his brutal death.

But Col. Edgard Arevalo, PMA spokesman, expressed confidence that Class 1987 would not do such a thing.

"We believe that cavaliers will maintain the solemnity of the occasion," he said.

Today will be the third day of the annual PMA homecoming. This year’s keynote speaker will be Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., chairman of the Senate defense committee.