On November 10, 2013, thousands of young men and women dared to dream—to become cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy’s Class of 2018. From every corner of the nation, more than 18,000 hopefuls stepped forward with courage, taking the Cadet Admission Test. Yet, only a little over a thousand advanced to the next stage, held at Camp Crame in January 2014. With little knowledge of the challenges ahead, just 480 determined individuals pressed on through the next phases of admission. From this group, only 61 persevered to the final stage. Recognizing the need to complete the class, the command called for another batch of applicants, adding 18 more aspirants. Thus, 79 unwavering individuals stood at the threshold of their cadet journey, bound by destiny and determination.
On May 8, 2014, 77 aspiring cadets finally set foot on the sacred grounds of the Philippine National Police Academy. They were welcomed in the most formidable manner—through the traditional Reception Rites of the Cadet Corps. With unwavering resolve, they took their oath, committing themselves to a life of discipline, training, and service to the nation. Under the sharp eyes and commanding voices of the ruling class, the LAKANDULA Class of 2015, they endured rigorous exercises that tested their spirit and grit. And with each painful repetition, they took their first steps toward transformation. At the end of that day, another rite awaited—one final act of surrender. The traditional haircut stripped them of the remnants of their past, preparing them for the trials and triumphs ahead.
The beginning of every great journey is always the hardest. Letting go of their old selves was one of the most challenging aspects of becoming a plebe. Before stepping fully into the world of cadetship, they endured a grueling 45-day program, where the LAKANDULA Class of 2015 instilled in them the foundations of discipline. Commands like chin-in, ten-count movements, brace-up, locked elbows, cadence, and knee-highs became second nature. The days began before dawn, filled with relentless road runs, academic studies, and drill exercises. Though their bodies ached and their minds were exhausted, they held on, knowing that every hardship was molding them into something greater than themselves.
The Class of 2018 was named MARAGTAS, after one of the ten Datus who led an island. The name was not just a title—it was a legacy. Their guiding principle, Salus Populi Est Suprema Lex—”The welfare of the people is the supreme law”—became the foundation of their journey. Their class anthem, It’s Gonna Make Sense, reminded them that even in the face of adversity, there was meaning in every struggle, and patience and perseverance would unveil their true purpose. The color amber represented their path—symbolizing hope and triumph, the light after darkness, the sunrise of a new beginning.
On June 17, 2014, the Incorporation Rites marked another milestone—the moment when plebes were officially integrated into the Upperclass Corps. They were assigned to their respective companies, each step bringing heavier responsibilities and greater trials. More eyes watched them, more voices tested their limits, and yet, they stood firm, proving they belonged.
Being a plebe was a relentless battle, where the temptation to surrender loomed every day. The pressure chipped away at them, yet unknowingly, it also forged their courage and resilience. In October 2014, after five months of unyielding training, they were granted a brief respite—the King and Queen in the Barracks event. For the first time, they navigated cadet life without the constant scrutiny of their upperclassmen. Here, they discovered the essence of self-leadership and learned to make decisions with confidence and conviction.
Time became their greatest challenge. Each day felt like a lifetime of struggle. They longed for the moment when their sacrifices would be acknowledged, expecting the traditional handshake from their upperclassmen in December 2014. But another test awaited them—spending Christmas and New Year within the Academy’s walls. Many faced their first holiday season away from their families, a painful yet valuable lesson that in their chosen profession, duty always comes before self.
Then, the day of reckoning arrived—the Recognition Rites. This was not just a ceremony; it was a rite of passage, an acknowledgment of the battles they had fought and won. On January 24, 2015, the MARAGTAS Class of 2018 finally received the long-awaited handshake from the Cadet Corps, marking the end of their plebehood and the dawn of a new chapter. The moment was more than just a handshake; it was a symbol of resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable spirit of a cadet. They had been tested, and they had prevailed.
Among the Academy’s most revered traditions is the Silent Drill Exhibition—a breathtaking display of precision, discipline, and excellence. Traditionally, only the best were chosen to join the Silent Drill Company, but history was rewritten when the entire MARAGTAS Class of 2018 took part. It was an unprecedented feat. Among them was CDT Dawn Napao Cabigon of Bacolod City, who became only the second female officer to be part of the Silent Drill Company. Despite immense pressure, they defied expectations, proving that limits existed only to be shattered.
Yet, their journey had only just begun. As plebes, they believed they had faced the toughest trials, but greater responsibilities lay ahead. On June 6, 2015, they ascended to the rank of Shearers of the Corps—third-class cadets. They were no longer just students of discipline; they had become its enforcers. Their duty was to guide and mold their underclassmen, the SANSIKLAB Class of 2019. Over the next eight months, they learned a profound truth—the true essence of service. In the Academy, emotion had no place in leadership. Integrity, duty, and courage were the pillars upon which they stood.
The MARAGTAS Class of 2018 also etched their name in history through the Slow Drill Platoon, preserving a tradition that only those who lived it could fully comprehend. The Strong Arms of the Corps executed every movement with precision and intensity, led by Platoon Leader CDT Ronnel Kantala Balangcod, who astounded audiences by juggling not one, but two heavy M1 Garand rifles—an extraordinary feat of strength and skill.
Beyond the barracks, they honed their skills through rigorous training, preparing for their future as public safety officers. They mastered courses such as the Police Intelligence Course (PIC), SCOUT training, Close Quarter Battle, Basic Rescue Training, and numerous other programs that deepened their expertise in law enforcement and emergency response.
Then, the moment they had long awaited arrived—the MARAGTAS Class of 2018 rose to become the ruling class of the Academy. In a historic first, every member of the class earned leadership positions at the company, battalion, and regimental levels. Their perseverance, resilience, and unity had propelled them to the summit.
And yet, their journey does not end here. As they step into the world beyond the Academy, they carry with them the lessons, sacrifices, and triumphs that have shaped them. The MARAGTAS Class of 2018 is not merely a graduating class—it is a legacy in motion, bound for greatness.
With hearts steadfast in duty and spirits unyielding in service, they look forward to carving new history in the field of public safety—for God’s greater glory.
KUDOS, MARAGTAS!
Source: Philippine National Police Academy
