PMA topnotcher places God above success

Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City , Philippines  – PMA topnotcher Eraño Belen always sounded like a devout “man of God.” 

From his feat of besting the rest of his 225 mistahs at the Philippine Military Academy who accordingly, is one of the best classes yet, now Second Lieutenant Belen never forgot to look up for the blessings.

Aside from being a soldier and a PMAer living with the Academy’s core values of courage, integrity, loyalty, Belen said in his short but well-meaning valedictory address, “we must put God over everything.”

Sounding highly “spiritual,” the 24-year-old poor Dumaguete lad who first endeavored to become a minister in his church placed second from God, the country. “We must remain as vanguards of the Constitution and as builders of the nation.” 

“If challenges come our way,” he said, “we must face it objectively and must have will in facing our mission.”

“Our success, we must share with everyone who became pat of it,” he continued, “with “our achievement is their achievement,” with special thanks to Almighty God for the unconditional love.

The young officer’s spirituality came from his parents, also devout INCs. His jubilant father Julito, 59 and mother Flor, 50, who were between tears and smiles as they embraced their son Eraño said they are ‘very very proud of their son.’

Because of poverty

Julito, a tricycle driver said he hopes his son, now a soldier, will ‘continue serving the Lord and do his mission in His name.’

His father and mother who still hoped their son had become a minister in INC said, “wala na tayong magagawa, yun siguro ang kalooban ng Diyos.”

They admitted his landing at the PMA was all because of poverty, a thing President Arroyo noted too, and instead moved to put the PMA and its graduates more into excellence not only for the individual graduates but towards nation building.

Interestingly, the young Belen’s first degree cousin, 17-year-old Jennelyn Medalla, who was present during the graduation, is following the topnotcher’s footsteps.

Topping thousands of entrance examinees, Medalla, who, unlike her cousin Eraño, dreamt to become a soldier. Now, her success is not far. 

Eraño’s distant cousin 17-year-old Precious Jewel Forrosuelo, daughter of 2000 Medal of Valor awardee Staff Sergeant Claudio Forrosuelo, is also braving the PMA come April.

Forrosuelo was killed in battle by the MILF in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao in 2000. “Hindi ako natatakot,” his daughter Precious Jewel said. She said she always dreamt of becoming like her father. “It is an inspiration.”