He smiled shyly as people avidly inquired about the PMA planner and calendars he was selling. Then I jokingly asked him if he and his fellow PMA buddies can strike a pose with my son. They awkwardly agreed, but their smiles with my little boy were perfect.
 |
| My son Max with PMA cadets at the 2013 Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Homecoming in Baguio City (In photo, first person from right is PMA 2013 Valedictorian Jestony Aman Lanaja. Click to enlarge.) |
Little did I know that the PMA cadet would be hailed as the PMA Class Valedictorian of 2013. He is Jestony Aman Lanaja, the son of a humble palm wine (tuba) farmer in Davao del Sur.
During his PMA valedictory address, the 22-year old Lanaja described the hardships he went through as a child due to poverty and extreme lack of opportunities in the province. Yet, Jestony Aman Lanaja said he owed his strength, endurance, and patience through this experience. With his father and mother in proud and joyful tears, he honoured them by crediting them for his achievements. Summing up his speech, Lanaja thanked the almighty God for bringing him this far and for making his impossible dream a reality.
A Tough Road to Triumph
According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, this 2013 PMA class valedictorian stopped for one year during high school. "Walang wala kami (we were broke)," he said. Jestony Aman Lanaja then worked odd jobs just to earn extra money. In one of Davao's sugarcane plantation, the young lad gathered sugarcane under the heat of the scorching sun, earning around P50 a day. Each bundle of sugarcane was P1.25 and Lanaja managed to gather around 50 bundles.
In the midst of all the hardships, Lanaja's charm shone through when his village members elected him in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) council. Before entering the academy, this 2013 PMA class valedictorian was able to complete a one-year electrical technology course in a TESDA-accredited school in Davao, under a scholarship grant.
Jestony Aman Lanaja bested 123 candidates in the PMA Pudang Kalis Class of 2013. The term Pudang Kalis means Puso't Dangal ng mga Kawal ng Lahing Nagkakaisa, or Soldiers with Heart and Honor, Unified in Strength. Pudang Kalis also means sacred sword in Muslim.
Lanaja's story is truly inspiring. Dreams can do come true even under the worst of circumstances. I would be cheering him on as he serve this country, and pray that he, along with the other graduates, will stick to the virtues that their Alma Mater taught them, to serve with loyalty, courage and integrity.
This would be a lovely story to tell my son when he grows up!
This would be a lovely story to tell my son when he grows up!
Comments
Post a Comment