First-ever ‘Lumad’ PMA achiever in Malungon

First-ever ‘Lumad’ PMA achiever in Maln’gan – 2nd Lt. Clark Donweyne Salcedo, a half blooded Ilongo-Blaan, pay courtesy to Mayo Reynaldo F. Contantino and local government workers Monday, as he thanked the LGU shared assistance which helped him to became as the first-ever IP member-turned PMA officer in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

PMA pass in review, formation - Photo shows PMA cadets in formation for a pass in review in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. (Courtesy of Rappler/ Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

The success that lies behind keenness and self determination - Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bongbong’ Constantino (left) gives the newly graduated cadet-turned 2LT. Clark Donweyne Salcedo (right), the recognition as being the first-ever Malungonian IP to become a full-pledged PMA soldier during the latter’s Monday courtesy visit in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Also in photo are (Seated from left) are Municipal Councilors Joseph Calanao, Mario Tan, Benjamin Santos and SB ex-officio Edna Tuanzon. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

Thank you Malungonians, LGU – 2nd LT. Clark Donweyne Salcedo, the town’s first ever half-blooded Ilongo-Blaan PMA achiever of the ‘Sinaglahi Class’ humbly extends his sincere gratitude to all the moral and financial support that the local government, specifically Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino has given during all the preparation and years of stay in the academy, as he pays courtesy Monday in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Seated from left is Mayor Constantino and Municipal Councilors Joseph Calanao, Mario Tan, Benjamin Santos, Edna Tuanzon, Teody Padernilla, Edmund Pangilan, Mariano Escalada and Mark Henzon Villareal. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MALUNGON, Sarangani- Local government officials and workers here gave a warm welcome to the town’s first-ever indigenous peoples to push through with his scholarship in the Philippine Military Academy and become a full pledged junior official of the Armed Forces, Monday.

2nd LT. Clark Donweyne Salcedo, a half-blooded Ilongo-Blaan, was among the ‘Sinaglahi class’ cadets to partake the Philippine Military Academy’s 110th graduation rites on Sunday last week at the Fajardo Grandstand in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City.

Tasked to join the elite Philippine Navy, Salcedo said he came to pay courtesy and extend gratitude for all the moral and financial support that the LGU has given from processing days until his actual stay at the academy, shortly after the customary weekly flag raising ceremony in Malungon, Sarangani Province.

“Thank you Malungonians, especially to our very own Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino for all the backups that assisted me much to stick where I am today. I might not be here to stay with you, but I promise everyone that I will be a pride to Indigenous Peoples, as I will do my responsibility with all the best of my ability as soldier to pay award to my kababayans, especially those in the tribal communities,” said Salcedo in Filipino, as he encourages the youth to strive and finish their secondary education to become cadets and future officers of the Armed Forces.

“Though it was never so easy, my dream to be with the AFP coupled with that ardent desire to help my parents become my most effective inspiration to drive through with my training,” Salcedo added.

For his part, Constantino said the officer should do as a living inspiration to students that nothing is impossible with such kind of keenness and willpower in reaching out for success.

“And this is a perfect proof that our being a member of the IPs is never a deterrent to what we would wish ourselves to be,” enunciated the last termer Constantino, who had been prioritizing the free youth education procedures through the local government college educational assistance program since he took up office in 2007.

Salcedo is only one among the successful Mindanaoans of Sinaglahi class (which comes from the Filipino phrase “Sundalong Isinilang na may Angking Galing at Lakas, Handang Ipaglaban ang Bayan—“Soldiers born with natural abilities and strength who are ready to fight for the country”), where four (4) of which have ruled the PMA Class of 2015.

Of the best four is Maitum town’s female cadet 1st Class Caroline Jhoy Nacional of Sarangani Province, who landed 5th in the Top 10 list, together with Cadet First Class Genesis Dizon (2nd place) of Zamboanga City; Stenven Tali (8th) of Zamboanga City; Brian Villanueva (9th) of the neighboring City of General Santos, and Regeric Rex Fuentes (10th) of M’lang town in North Cotabato. (MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE.)