MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Hello! I am Leo Steven A. Parparan, a 22 year old man and resides at 431, Malabago, Mangaldan, Pangasinan. Currently, I am studying and having my training at the Philippine Military Academy, in Baguio city and now a 3^rd class “yearling” cadet. Before entering the world of command, I studied at the Saint Louis University and took a degree in Civil Engineering. I haven’t finished my studies and only finished two (2) ears in Civil Engineering. After my battle in math during my 2 year engineering experience; I transferred and shifted my course at the Lyceum-Northwestern University and took a bachelor’s degree major in Psychology. “Sayang” as I will say, because I am already a graduating student; but then I chose to follow my dream and that’s to become a leader of our Armed Forces.

It has been my greatest ambition to be one of the marching cadets of the Philippine Military Academy. It is my honor and pride to be a PMA cadet. This is not only for me but also to my family and to my future family.

Bucket list

·        I will buy uniforms and be snappy, to set the standard of a yearling.

·        I will follow-up my buddy as often as possible.

·        I will focus more on m academics

·        I will try my best just to graduate here.

·        I will support my family’s needs.

·        I will be a leader AGAIN!

·        I will make sure that my buddies will be equipped and trained.

·        I will teach my buddies how to iron and shine.

·        I will be always a loving son.

MOTIVATION

FAMILY- it is the main source of my motivation, because they give me strength and determination to finish what I have started.

SOCIETY- In PMA, we are taught to be leaders and are said to be the future leaders and generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Todays society, to me, is chaos. As a leader, I must be an ordinary person with an extra-ordinary determination to change the society and guide them to a bright future.

SALARY- in all the jobs offered by this world, Military is one of the greatest job that a man can have.

FRIENDS- beside of my family, my friends give me strength and determination to face all the challenges that may come in my life.

GOD- above all things, God is the main source of everything. I thank God because he gives me everything that I need. He gives me life and continues to fuel my burning determination to finish the career that I have chosen.

FUNERAL TEST

During my funeral, I want my visitors to pray for my soul as I pray for others when I was living. I want them to see Jesus in me and have hope that one day we will be given a second life, and that is the life everlasting in heaven. People who knows me would say that I am kind, understanding, comforting, generous, and intelligent person. I want them to remember all the things that I made for them. All the sacrifices; all music that we played and everything. I don’t want to see them crying, though it’s normal, to me they should be happy because I have already taken my rest from this tiring but beautiful life on earth. I really want them to reflect on my death and be an example to repent and believe in God. I want them to realize that they must be humble; and being a human means to be humble. Human means soil, it came from the latin word humus which means soil. Thus, all humans must be humble and down to earth, because one day all of you will die and we will see each other again in the after life.

PERSONAL MANIFESTO

 I have been staying here in the Academy for more than 2 years already. As a cadet, It is very important for us to learn the essence of “take life”. Some people, especially those who did not experience cadetship at PMA, wouldn’t understand it. Defining “take life” cannot be squeezed in one single discussion. It takes time and experience for an individual to fully understand the essence of “take life” and its importance.

Philippine Military Academy cadets has a common understanding of the latter; but I am saddened for a fact that some cadets do not really understand its essence. To me, “take life” is having the courage to do something, without being caught and most especially, as cadets, without compromising the values and tenets of the Honor code; that is not to lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate. Let us take for example the scenario during the mess in the academy. All cadets will agree that there was this time in their cadetship that they haven’t eaten any of their rightful shares, due to some extraneous variables that might hinder them from doing so. Therefore, the last thing that a cadet shall do is to get their share without getting caught. Question: is that a form of stealing? I believe the answer is NO, but why? First of all, all cadets have their rightful shares, and it depends upon a cadet whether or not he/she will consume it. So in the case of this cadet who “take life” his rightful share, he did not actually violated any of the tenets of the honor code. There were no stealing happened, because it is his rightful share, and thus considered as “take life”. He was not caught doing it, and he has the courage to do it.

Maybe one of the best thing that an officer of the Armed forces practice is the “take life”. Why did I say so? In the operations of the AFP, all missions are classified and confidential. No one must know it except only for those people who are involved in it. That’s “take life”! Missions are done without the knowledge of the enemy. Missions are done without informing the enemy. Soldiers are “taking life” to complete the mission and to avoid of not being caught by doing it.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines wants each one of us, especially our family and loved ones, to sleep sound and safe. “Take life” has so much to do for achieving this. A good “take life” must not violate any tenets of the Honor code without forgetting the 2 basics questions, that is: “Do I intend to deceive? Do I intend to take undue advantage? If I can answer NO to both questions, then I am doing the honorable thing”.

Mission-Vision-Goal

I will be familiar with the constitution of the Philippines, especially my rights and obligations as a Filipino citizen. Furthermore, I will live the honor code and its values.

                                                                                                       

To be molded thru: P-ositive M-ental A-ttitude. To practice the values of Excellence, Chivalry, Humility, and Dignity under the guidance of the honor code.

It is to practice good leadership with extra-ordinary determination to offer oneself to service.

A Cadet's definition of: Loyalty

Loyalty. It is all about giving yourself to something or someone. We are Filipinos, we are expected to abide by the rules and regulations set by the present administration and those which are written in the present constitution of the Philippines, the 1987 Philippine Constitution. As a Filipino, I will be familiar with the constitution of the Philippines, especially my rights and obligations as a Filipino citizen. As a cadet, I can show my loyalty to my alma mater, the Philippine Military Academy, by practicing and instilling the values of the Honor Code.

References: Department of leadership; powerpoint presentation of VEP