By: Lakan Kristine G Martinez and Lakan Sheryl Quidor-Tuguic
βπ ππ‘π¬ πͺππ₯π ππππππ, ππ¨π§ π’π‘ππ¬ π πππͺ πͺππ₯π πππ’π¦ππ‘β
October 28, 2007, marked the very threshold of the destined life among the 25,000 youth who took the Cadet Admission Test of the Philippine National Police Academy. From all over the country, regardless of regional origin and social stratum, these young hopefuls simultaneously bled their brains to pass the prestigious entrance examination and went through the stages of processing, the neuropsychiatric examination, the physical and agility test, and the heart-throbbing panel interview. After all the series of rigorous processes of selection, only 246 applicants were qualified and listed for admission.
π§ππ π₯ππππ£π§ππ’π‘
βπππ πππππ ππππΌππ πππππ ππΌππ ππππππβ
The first crossroad befaced each qualified applicant. The critical decision had to be made: whether to pursue or to hold back. The telltale dawn of April 18, 2008, gave way to these 246 qualified applicants as they walked down, in a duck-like manner, on the hallowed ground of the Academy in their white shirts and jeans. The roaring voice of the so-called Upperclass Corps of Cadets, composed of the Kaisang-Bising Class of 2009, the Mabikas Class of 2010, and the Masaligan Class of 2011, sounded like thunder as they rushed towards the qualified applicants. That was the moment after the then Commandant of Cadets, PSUPT NARCISO DAMASO DOMINGO, under the guidance of his Director, PCSUPT DANILO QUERUBIN ABARZOSA, gave the powerful order, βTake Charge,β to the Upperclass Corps. And the whole action took place; some of the newly pronounced cadets had not understood perfectly the seemingly harsh commands of their upperclassmen who gave them orders to jog with knees high in the air, roll like barrels, snake roll, do push-ups and sit-ups, and the like. All of them shouted at the top of their voices. The rigors of the day ended with a haircut session that brought tears to the eyes of many of the girls who still had the aftermath tremors of the whole event. The realization of the different life chosen, unlike many peers outside the Academy, sank in deep as their long hair fell down as if bidding goodbye to the real world. This was the first time for the majority to experience all the hurling, pressure, and command uttered in an ominous, solid voice. And the first lesson every one of them had learned was to obey and obey.
βπΌππ ππΌπππ ππ ππππ πππππππΏ ππππ πππ πππππππ πππβ
Right after the βvery warm welcomeβ given to them during the Reception Rites, the new cadets marched off, walked rather in the same manner when they were about to be received, towards their second home, the New Cadet Battalion. With their bags being held on their teeth, they hurried towards their respective barracks. There, they were again ordered to change their clothes with their new set of clothing. The maroon shade seemed to be their identity, having a different color from their immediate supervisors, who were in blue uniforms.
With the diverse culture and tradition, different languages and lores, and varied origins from all walks of life, they all lived a regimented way of life: waking up at 4:30 AM, taking a bath while beating the ten counts of an upperclassman, eating in a square meal pattern, and marching along the winding road that leads to the hallowed ground of the Academy. The day would just end up with the sound of the bugle call, which reverberated the TAPS (time for all personnel to sleep) call, and this sounded like heaven for the plebes. This time their bodies would find a little rest from the rigorous day of breaking period. Days had passed, and 26 more members were added to the total strength of the class. May 7, 2008 was indeed a momentous day for the so-called βlate receptionistβ who went along with the unleashing process to become cadets of the prestigious institution. It had been very difficult for them to cope with and to go along with their classmates who were ahead of them. Yet, they proved that being late receptionists was no different from those who went ahead of them.
π§ππ ππ‘ππ’π₯π£π’π₯ππ§ππ’π‘
βππππππππ ππππ πππ ππππ ππππΏπππ ππππππΎππΌππ πππβ
After a rough 45-day breaking period of transforming the civilian countenance and character to a clear-cut demeanor of becoming a cadet, the SINAG-TALA CLASS 2012 was now ready to be literally incorporated in the Upperclass Corps of Cadets and inside the four walls of the barracks. With the basic tenets about cadetship laid out to them by their Immediate Supervisors from the KAISANG-BISIG CLASS 2009, they were somehow ready to face certain ordeals and difficulties in living along with the rest of the members of the Upperclass Corp of Cadets. It was June 28, 2008, that marked the Incorporation Rites of the SINAG-TALA CLASS 2012. The event formally merged the lower mammal with the higher ones.
π§ππ π₯πππ’ππ‘ππ§ππ’π‘
βπππΎππππππππ πΏπΌπβ
February 27, 2009, spelt the Pre-Recognition Rites for the class. The day seemingly resembled the very first day when the class first stepped on the hallowed field of the Academy for the reception.
The most awaited day for the plebes could be gleaned through the falling leaves of the trees rooted around the camp. The Recognition Day was fast approaching as the training ground and roads swamped with autumn-painted leaves. It was February 28, 2009, when the members of the SINAG-TALA CLASS 2012 marched the field of the Campos Grandstand and received the handshake of their upperclassmen. The simple handshake extended by all members of the PNPA family, headed by then PNPA Director, PCSUPT DANILO Q ABARSOZA, with his Commandant of Cadets, PSUPT NARCISO DOMINGO, meant acceptance of the fourth-class men to the Upperclass Corps of Cadets, and that accorded rite made them recognized cadets who stood proudly and valiantly in their meaningful octagon formation in the eyes of their families and visitors who witnessed the rites.
βπππΌππππ πππ ππππππ ππππβ
As part of the curricular requirement for graduation, the class had to undergo the Cadet Attachment Program or the field immersion and to actively lead and partake in the Public Safety Olympics as the finale of their CAP. For the first time in the history of the Academy, all members of the BSPS SINAG-TALA CLASS 2012 who chose the Philippine National Police service immersed themselves within the operational jurisdiction of Southern Police District, particularly in Makati, Pasay, Taguig, and the SPD Headquarters. 190 police cadets were grouped and subdivided into four to be disseminated in the said cities and in respective police community precincts. They had a glimpse of the real arena of police service. Similarly, the jail and fire cadets went out in rural and urban areas to observe their respective jail and fire stations, mingled with the personnel, and had an overview of the whole set-up and system of their respective fields. Then, the active leadership and participation of the graduating class for the first Public Safety Olympics ever held in the Academy made a remarkable imprint on the milestone of the institution. The successful conduct of the said Olympics and its substantial and meaningful impact on the cadets were enough proof that the graduating class is now ready to face and accept the duties and responsibilities accorded to their rank as they leave the portals of the Academy.
π§ππ ππ₯πππ¨ππ§ππ’π‘
The most awaited moment of every cadet, parent, guardian, sibling, relative, friend, and officer inside the Academy is Graduation Day. The last phase of the cadetship program proved to be the final burst of storm in the turbulent seas. Cadetship for the members of the SINAG-TALA CLASS 2012 had never been smooth sailing. Many a time, several stormy billows rocked the very foundation of each cadet, and he must firmly cling on to his core of values and principles so as to not be easily shaken. With strong determination, firm resilience, and fervent faith in Godβs providence, 225 members of the SINAG-TALA CLASS 2012 made it to the finish line. Among them, 190 graduates joined the Philippine National Police, 21 opted to be in the Bureau of Fire Protection, and 14 chose the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
The 190 PNP members of βSinag-Tala First Burst of Fireβ were assigned to various Police Regional Offices (PROs) in Mindanao, as well as to National Operational Support Units (NOSUs), particularly the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) and PNP Maritime Group (MG). Their lieutenant/police inspectors’ years of assignments reflect the PNPβs ongoing focus on peacekeeping, counterinsurgency, and law enforcement operations in Mindanao, particularly in conflict-affected and strategic areas.
The class also honors and remembers its six members (PINSP OY-OYAN+, PINSP GARGAR+, PSINSP TAYTAYON+, PSINP MANGUNE+, JCINSP CASASOS+, and JCINSP PUJOL+) who left us far too soon.
βπ½πππππΏ πππ πππΏπππΌππβ
π¦ππ‘ππ-π§πππβπ ππππππ©ππ ππ‘π§π¦
SINAG-TALA CLASS 2012 has produced 2 awardees of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, namely PMAJ MAE ANN CUNANAN in 2023 and PMAJ MARK RONAN BALMACEDA in 2024.
PMAJ CUNANAN was also chosen as one of the Outstanding Women in Law Enforcement and National Security (OWLENS) in 2024. In the same year, PMAJ CUNANAN was also awarded as one of the Outstanding Law Enforcers in the Asia Pacific Region during the celebration of International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Day 2024, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand. In the same year, PMAJ CUNANAN also received the Lakan Distinguished Awardee for Junior Operation (PNP) and Best Junior PCO for Operation (Female Category) during the 71st Founding Anniversary of the CIDG.
PMAJ MARK RONAN BALMACEDA was also hailed as the Best Company Commander and Best Mobile Force Company during the 50th Founding Anniversary of NCRPO-RMFB.
PMAJ RAY DAN M GENTAPANAN, C, ALS, SLD, SOSIA was awarded as the Best Junior PCO in the Field of Administration during the 44th CSG Founding Anniversary on November 19, 2024, held at PNP MPC.
CINSP FRANZ DOMINIQUE F BADONG-CASALME, the woman behind the BFP posters, won the Gold Medal in Judo at the 2024 Philippine Uniformed Sports League.
PMAJ JERICHO P RAPIZ passed the Bar Examination in 2023 and became the first lawyer of the class.
JCINSP PAULINE BAJAR-OMEGA was hailed as the Best Staff Officer of the Year during the BJMP VII Anniversary Celebration in CY 2024.
PMAJ EDWIN C SAPA has been recognized as the Outstanding Junior PCO for Police Community Affairs and Development and Outstanding Provincial Mobile Force Company, achieving an impressive average of 93.75% during the Culmination Activity of the PCR Month Celebration CY 2024.
JCINSP CHRISTIAN D DILEM has been recognized as the Best Staff Officer of the Year (BJMP Region 5) for his outstanding leadership and steadfast commitment to fulfilling duties and responsibilities.
PMAJ RANIER G OMBROG became the first pilot of the class and was awarded the Senior Pilot of the Year (CY 2024).
PMAJ TAN BULAGLAG was hailed as the Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer of the year during the 46th Foundation Anniversary of the Philippine National Police Academy (CY2024).
PMAJ ELVIN VILLANUEVA was hailed as the Best Tactical Officer of the Year during the 46th Foundation Anniversary of the Philippine National Police Academy (CY2024).
PMAJ ARVIN HOSMILLO and PMAJ JEM DELANTES received the Medalya ng KATANGITANGING GAWA (PNP Outstanding Achievement Medal) for meritorious service and exemplary leadership during the successful implementation of the Search Warrant, which led to the arrest of suspects for RA 9165 violations.
FCINSP MARLYN R MACATANGAY and PMAJ DAREEN P TOLOSA- Awardees of Lakan Special Commendation. PMAJ TOLOSA was also hailed as the Best Junior PCO for Administration in PROBAR.
FCINSP ANGEL LYNN SALVADOR-Lakan Distinguished Awardee for Junior Operation (BFP) in CY 2024 and Best Junior Commissioned Officer in CY 2023.
JCINSP ARIES T MAGBUTAY-Best District Jail Warden of the Year (CY 2023)
PMAJ EDWARD CASTULO-Best Junior PCO for Operations(PRO 3)
PMAJ RENE DALE CAIREL, Chief of Police of Novelata MPS, PRO 4A, was adjudged as “Best Municipal Police Station (Class B )” in CY 2023.
PMAJ MONA GUIA F MENEZ, Chief of Police of Culasi MPS, which was adjudged as the Outstanding Municipal Police Station Class “B” in CY 2023
PMAJ JOHN VINCENT BRAVO-Cotabato City Outstanding Police Commissioned Officer CY 2023
PMAJ RUDY ALIONA PEANG- SAF Best Junior Officer for Operation of the Year (CY 2023)
βπππΎπππ ππ ππππππβ
As the PNPA SINAG-TALA CLASS OF 2012, we are deeply grateful and proud of our transformative journey at the Philippine National Police Academy. PNPA has shaped us into dedicated officers, instilling enduring values of integrity, service, and leadership. The academy has guided us through rigorous training, teaching the vital significance of dedication and discipline. Authentic leadership extends beyond mere knowledge; it is about embracing the principles of justice and empathy.
As we advance in our careers, we will carry the invaluable lessons from PNPA and remain steadfast in our pledge to serve our communities with unwavering honor and distinction. Together, we will uphold PNPA’s distinguished legacy and endeavor to become the exemplary leaders our nation truly deserves. We are committed to continuing to bring honor to our Alma Mater as we, along with our fellow LAKANS, make meaningful contributions to the betterment of our nation! HAIL PNPA! (PNPA SINAG-TALA FB Page)
PNPA SINAG-TALA CLASS 2012 held the conviction that even the most trying situations in life can be conquered with persistence.
