BALER, Aurora—Nearly 400 young cadet aspirants gathered and took the Philippine Military Academy Entrance Examination (PMAEE) at the covered court of Aurora National Science High School in this capital town on Oct. 2, , a top military official in this province said on Monday.
Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr. commander of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion said that the 2-day (September 30-October 1) entrance examination was the first step in the selection process to become a cadet in the most prestigious leadership school in the country, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Recto said that the PMA proctor was headed by Major Kristin Valerie Cruz, PMA academic staff for communications, electronics and information system and the present Deputy department head of Information and Technology Corps Professor.
“This is the first time in history that the PMA entrance examination was conducted in our province, particularly in Baler. It was successfully done through the efforts of our Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Baler under the stint of Mayor Rhett Ronan T. Angara,” Recto said.
He added that to be a PMA cadet is a noble privilege serving the country and its people with free college education and a well-rounded curriculum. “We are truly blessed to have this kind of development. Once they pass and graduate, they will soon become an officer in the Army, Air Force, or Navy- Specialized professional training for the military,” Recto said.
He added that the 91st IB provided security assistance during the 5-day stay of the PMA proctors team.
On the other hand, Major Cruz said that there are already several graduates in the PMA academy from Aurora province that are serving the country now. She said once the applicants are in the academy, they are full scholars in the government with the base pay of Php38,000 monthly, free board and lodging, free uniform and meals among others. “Once they finish, they will have a degree of Bachelor of Science in Management Major in National Security Studies.
These cadets, once graduated, will be commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“We are very thankful to the Mayor of Baler who invited us to conduct the PMA entrance examination for the first time in history here in Baler. We would like to reach out to our aspirants that since this is the first time, hopefully there will be another examination next year and all of you may take the examination if you failed this year,” She said.
Based on the lined-up schedule given by Recto, the group made courtesy calls to all Mayors in Central Aurora and to Governor Christian Noveras on the first day (September 27).
The next days (September 28 and 29) was an info drive about the qualifications for those who wish to take the entrance exam in the PMA and should bring the required 2×2 ID picture, a valid ID (including a school ID), a birth certificate, and school grades (transcript of records for college and registrar-validated school grades for high school).
The applicants should be at least 17 to 22 years old; demonstrate good moral character, and must be single, never married among others. September 30 and October 1 were the actual examinations for the aspirants to the academy.
