By: Lakan Fred L Lenomta
It was 17th day of August 2003, when 21,000 young and vibrant enthusiasts rushed to the different testing centers all over the Philippines to take the Philippine National Police Academy Cadet Admission Test. Only 1,700 passed and on April 1, 2004, the members of Class 2008 took their oath to face the challenges of the breaking period. The class from its original strength of 220 was whittled down to 166 as time passed. Class 2008 was finally incorporated in the Cadet Corps on June 13, 2004.
On April 20, 2007 the Special Counter Insurgency Operation Unit Training (SCOUT) for the Class 2008 was conducted the first ever, at the Academy Firing Range.
The Oman-Silang Class of 2008 made history! They were the batch with the longest Cadet Orientation Program from April 1 to June 13, 2004.
Incorporation Day as defined by Oman Silang Class 2008 was the second phase of cadetship marking the beginning of enormous tasks and responsibilities for the new members of the Cadet Corps. It is when the recognized cadets are given the opportunity to live under one roof with their upperclassmen; taught and molded to possess virtues and values of future law enforcers of the country. The new members of the Corps surrender themselves in the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie for the learning process and eventual character-building.
The Upperclass Corps on the other hand practice their ability in leading young men of talents and skills.
They were the first class to undergo waterborne training at the home of the Marine Force Recon in Ternate, Cavite.
Among others, they were:
• The first Class to undergo Jungle Environmental Survival Training at Subic.
• The first Class to have two female Honor Committee representatives, Cadets Donna Marie Dumaguin and Dianne del Rosario.
• The first Class to have the longest Female Slow Drill aspirant, Cadet Dianne Del Rosario. (Diane quit after two weeks.)
• The first in the history of the Academy to have twin-graduates, Danilo & Daniel Yema of Lipa City, Batangas.
• The first Class to have two delegates, Cadets Robert Mutia and Lynelle Macatiag to Seoul, Korea from June 30 to August 30, 2007, for the Asian Youth Camp.
• The first Class to participate in the Philippine National Police Academy Road Map with Cadets Fred Lenomta, Rolf Parangan, Ronald Estilles and Maricel Mamaradlo as 2008 representatives.
• The Class, together with the senior classes 1988 and 1998 that proposed the Tower of Eight which was constructed at the Philippine National Police Academy Firing Range to be used by the succeeding classes for their training.
• The last Class to compose the Long Blue Line of the Philippine National Police Academy with the return to the original Maroon and Gold Line.
The OMAN-SILANG Class of 2008 had 152 graduates. From the rigors of training to the triumphs of brotherhood, they have shaped and been shaped by the Academy. Their story serves as an inspiration to future generations of cadets who will walk the same halls, endure the same trials, and strive to uphold the honor and traditions of those who came before them. At present, 150 original members still living.
Source:
Bugle Call, 2009
PNPAAAI Records,2005
Philippine National Police Academy
