Fighting for each other

It goes without saying that every school has its own alumni organization—as reliance and support are more often than not needed from its graduates—and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) as the premier military training institution in the country is no exception.

- ATTY. MIKE TOLEDO

The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) is a non-profit organization that represents the alumni of the PMA. It has existed since 1948 and was registered as a corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1980.

Its purpose is four-fold: to promote camaraderie and mutual support among PMA graduates; to protect the PMA's reputation and uphold its ideals of integrity, loyalty, and courage; to promote the general welfare and interests of its members; and to promote ethical standards and good governance in the uniformed services.

The activities of the association, aside from the annual membership meeting and convention on the fourth Saturday of January, include the alumni homecoming in Baguio on the third Saturday of February during which the Cavalier Awards are presented, publication of the bi-monthly Cavalier magazine, holding of annual Cavaliers family sports festival and, occasionally, Cavaliers Cup (golf tournament and shoot fest), symposia and seminars.

This year's annual PMAAAI general membership meeting brought together 289 Cavaliers (as PMA alumni are called) with the AGMM called to order by Raul S. Gonzales (PMA '75), chairman and CEO of the PMAAAI.

Reports were then given by Caesar Bernard N. Valencia (PMA '90), incumbent PMA Superintendent, and George M. Bergonia (PMA '95), PMAAAI president and COO, on the status and milestones of the PMA and PMAAAI, respectively.