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”.