A conqueror of mountainous adversity hails from the upland of 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧, 𝐌𝐭. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞. He set forth to a journey from the range of Cordillera to the highlands of Cavite to overcome a grim struggle that only a chosen few can surpass. In his case however, he did not merely survive; he triumphed with flying colors, finishing as the 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟖 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐆-𝐃𝐈𝐖𝐀 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.
At an early age, he faced the unfavorable realities of life as the firstborn son of his separated parents. Contrary to the common stories of cadets wherein they experienced greater hardships as they entered the Academy incomparable to what they encountered during their civilian days, P/CDT Dawayen confronted much grueling and toilsome hurdles as he worked as a construction man and farm laborer, toiling through rain or shine, in order to make a living.
However, these did not hinder him from achieving greater heights by using these trials as stepping stones towards success. He emerged as the valedictorian of their class during his elementary studies. During high school, he emanated as the first honorable mention. Finally, he finished his 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 degree as 𝐂𝐮𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲.
Consequently, he underwent 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 (𝐏𝐒𝐁𝐑𝐂). However, two months away from finishing this course, he chose to traverse a path less traveled—a road that set apart the country’s cream of the crop. Yearning to achieve greater heights, he entered the hallowed grounds of the Philippine National Police Academy, where dreamers are turned into achievers and achievers are turned into the nation’s changemakers.
In spite of the tedious physical and mental demands of being a cadet, he survived the rigorous training from his plebehood to his immaculate years by balancing everything. As the second Leadership Principle of the United States Marine Corps puts it, “𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕.” Not only P/CDT Dawayen wears a Dean’s Lister badge but also Silent Drill Company and Slow Drill Platoon pins, exemplifying not only his extraordinary intellect but also his exceptional strength and agility.
As he transitions to become a refined individual who will soon serve the country as a competent public safety officer, he challenges the Filipino youths, who also seek to take the road less traveled to prepare themselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He revealed that the secret to surviving cadetship is to be submissive as they embrace the process of their journey, for it will teach them a lot about their desired destination. Ultimately, always long after the guidance and blessing of the Almighty for He is the source and stronghold of our lives.
As long as we live, pain and failure are inevitable. Thus, a correct attitude and mindset will transform us as we press to be the best version of ourselves, capable of conquering the mountainous adversities of life.
Source: Kalasag – PNPA Corps Publications
