PCG: The second batch of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) cadets graduated at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) last 26 June, Thursday with Senator Sonny M Angara as its Guest of Honor and Speaker during its 192nd PMMA commencement exercise in San Narciso, Zambales.

The 13 cadets from the PMMA Batch 2015 under the PMMA Cadetship Program are Cadet Midshipman John Manuel A Alip, Cadet Midshipman Winjhay Love G Arro, Cadet Midshipman Hannah T Bang-ud, Cadet Midshipman Esperanza D Bullong, Cadet Midshipman Lady Deann P Cantores, Cadet Midshipman Renato P Gunhuran Jr, Cadet Midshipman Peter Matthew P Herminado, Cadet Midshipman Miracle O Perez, and Cadet Midshipman Wenceslao John M Wenceslao who graduated in Bachelor of Science Major in Marine Transportation while Cadet Midshipman Julie Ann C Diloy, Cadet Midshipman Mary Hazel June I Obligacion, Cadet Midshipman Charibel Pugong and Cadet Midshipman Christian Vhert E Casamar graduated in Bachelor of Science Major in Marine Engineering.

Among who graced the occasion were PCG Commandant, Admiral Rodolfo D Isorena; Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command, Vice Admiral Jesus C Millan; PMMA Superintendent, Rear Admiral Richard U Ritual; MARINA Deputy Administrator for Regional Concerns Office of the Administrator, Captain Herminio P. Estaniel, Jr.; and Commander, 13th Naval Reserve Command, LCDR Ramon G Lacbain II, who is also the Vice Governor of Zambales.

During the exercise, the Coast Guard Saber Award was given to Cadet Midshipman Alip for being the top graduating cadet of PMMA Class 2015 under the PCG Cadetship Program. Moreover, CDR JAYBOM J CALICA PCG, alumni of PMMA Class of 1998 also graduated in his post-graduate degree in Masters in Shipping Management at said academy.

Prior to the graduation ceremony, the PCG hosted a dinner and reception for the 13 cadets, together with their parents, held at the Mansion Garden, Subic Bay Freeport Zone last 25 June which was attended by Admiral Isorena; PCG Deputy Commandant, Rear Admiral William M Melad; Chief of Coast Guard Staff, Captain Oscar Endona, and other Coast Guard staff.

“I am proud and grateful that all thirteen of you made the more difficult but nobler choice of spending the knowledge, skills, and values you earned from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy to serve the country and your fellow countrymen at a time they need you most. As new officers of the PCG, I hope you serve with humility, dedication to work, and courage to do what is right at all times- no exceptions, no special considerations. Be the kind of leader that you, yourself, would respect, obey and look up to. Be the kind of leader that your parents and the PMMA can be proud of," Admiral Isorena said during his speech.

Probationary Ensign Niño Jhanus G Aniban PCG and Ensign Sean Jayner D Cabral PCG, who graduated in the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, USA last 21 May this year also attended the said event and were formally welcomed in the PCG family.

The graduates will take their licensure examination at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and will undergo Coast Guard Officers Course in Coast Guard Officers Basic Education and Training Center in Bagac, Bataan to shape them to be competent, reliable and effective leaders which will last for a year prior to their commissionship as Ensigns for active duty in the Philippine Coast Guard.