By Cyrus A. Natividad
Cadets and Cadet Officers during the CPU ROTC Graduation for SY2022-2023 at the Alumni Promenade and Concert Park.
Ready to take the challenges–CPU ROTC Cadets and Cadet Officers in Fatigue Uniforms, briskly stood in attention at the Alumni Promenade and Concert Park as a procession of colours signalled the start of the graduation ceremony on Saturday, the 27th of May 2023, at 9:00 in the morning.
Two hundred seventy-two cadets (265 from the two-year basic military training, and 7 from the 4-year advance officer cadet course) proudly received their Graduation Certificates.
Sgt. Mary Valerie G. Sampiano PA (Res) led the opening prayer while 2LT Arnulfo H. Bolido PA (Ret) Unit S3 delivered a welcome remark.
SSg Legie F. Cabangal PA (Res) Unit S1 presented the candidates for graduation while Col Pedro C. Bedoña PA (Ret), Commandant, made a declaration of graduates.
Prof. Annalie D. Gelongos, NSTP Coordinator and Col. Bedoña awarded the certificates for the graduates; the medals for Advance ROTC cadets, and the certificates for Tactical Officers and NCOs.
In her message, Prof. Gilongos encouraged the Cadets and Cadet Officers to be strong and ready to take the challenges of time and be dedicated in their studies for the future.
Col Bedoña led the turnover of the reservists while Col Noel I Parcon PA (Ret) CO, 604th RRIBN, for their oath taking. 2nd Lt. Artemio I Romingquit PA (Ret) introduced the Guest Speaker in the person of Col Noel I Parcon PA (Ret).
Col Parcon emphasized the benefits he earned from the ROTC training course in CPU until his actual stint as a soldier and officer in the Philippine Army. He challenged the cadets to “do your best to achieve what I have achieved; to study hard; and to develop the discipline.”
The ceremony ended with a closing remark by Commandant Col. Bedoña.