Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City
January 21, 2020
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte graces the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) at the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
“Those who passed through the storied halls and hallowed grounds of the Philippine Military Academy share a common bond, the depth and sense of which cannot be fully understood by those who have not lived in its quarters, marched in its drill sites and undergone the traditional rites of manhood. That bond can only be expressed in one word: “MISTAH,” President Duterte said.
He stressed that the word ‘mistah’ means more than camaraderie and friendship, and deemed it as a sense of pride that only a PMA graduate can fully understand. According to him, it is synonymous with honor, discipline, competence, and loyalty.
“The image of both the Philippine Military Academy and the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. is only as good as the image that each one of you projects to the public,” the Commander-in-Chief added.
President Duterte reminded the alumni that ‘it takes only one fly to spoil a feast,’ reiterating that it takes only one scandal to ruin the PMAAAI’s avowed moral and ethical standards.
“Make use of your moral ascendancy. Police your own ranks. You owe it to the Academy that nourished you. Indeed there is much you can do to help this country,” he said.
During the gathering, the Commander-in-Chief also witnessed the presentation of PMAAAI’s Outstanding Achievement Award to the distinguished alumni of the Academy.
The awardees included Cav. Noe Wong (Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea); Cav. Noel Clement, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Cav. Ronald Dela Rosa, Senator; Cav. Felimon Santos, Jr., AFP Chief of Staff; Cav. Archie Francisco Gamboa, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief; Cav. Gilbert Gapay, Commanding General of the Philippine Army (PA); Cav. Allen Paredes, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF); and Cav. Ernesto De Leon (former Philippine Ambassador to Australia) who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Emilie De Leon.
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