The passing of 1,189 young men and women to the Philippine Military Academy which was recently conducted in different testing areas around the country, show extreme interest in serving one’s country. There were 12,014 examinees who took the exams hoping to enter the Academy and become a soldier. The profession of arms is a risky profession but to those who have the heart to serve, it doesn’t seem to matter. Some of those who took the exams are said to have nurtured this dream ever since they were kids. Many toddlers when asked about the future almost always says they want to be soldiers or policemen, aside from being a doctor, or some other profession.
It’s also not surprising that 362 of those examinees were women, showing that more and more females have opened their eyes to service and sacrifice and wanting to have equal rights with what they could do as soldiers. Many female PMA graduates have done combat duty, could fly planes, even become gunners and of other roles they could play and become, just like the men.
It is not a competition, but women are proving to explore more avenues to prove themselves and their worth to society. It’s not everyday that young men and women are given this opportunity to wear a soldier’s uniform in the future. There will be more PMA examinations and surely, the number of examinees will also increase.
Those who passed the PMA exams have now been called, but they have to hurdle rigorous physical and medical exam, and where 300-350 will make up PMA Class 2019. The PMA awaits these young men and women who have opted to serve the military. – Elvie B. Sugay, Batangas City