The Journey started on November 24, 2001 when almost 20,000 young eager applicants flocked to the different PNPA Cadet Admission Test examination centers to try their chance as the Academy opened its doors to high school graduates aged 17 to 22 years old for the first time.
Processing commenced on January 29, 2002, with the top 850 examinees reporting to Camp Castañeda, Silang Cavite to undergo a series of physical, medical, and neuropsychiatric examinations conducted over a period of 10 days. After two months and a long and exhausting deliberation, 347 of them were admitted to the program.
On May 2, 2002, as their loved ones watched at the grandstand, they were taken to a tour of the Campus Field, the “holy ground.” For the next 45 days, they were taught by the members of the Sambigkis Class of 2003 how to behave as the lowest-ranked cadets in the corps, march in cadence and learn to obey without complaining. The New Cadet Battalion Barracks (NCBN, now the Cadet Corps Mess Hall) was situated at the end of the Second Battalion (presently the First Battalion) road. It served as the male cadets’ sleeping quarters and, during inclement weathers, the lecture area as well. Plebes and IS alike had to march from this area to the Mess Hall (now the Gymnasium) to take their meals and to the Campus Field for the field drills.
First Class Officers
- PRESIDENT: Benjamin D Balais
- VICE PRESIDENT
- 1ST BAT: Joel A Biñas
- 2ND BAT: Homer T Dumalag
- SECRETARY: Jocelyn Diata
- TREASURER: Florence Gayle C Corvera
- PRO: Neva Renchie I De Chavez
They also chose BAGSAY-LAHI as the class name together with “The Journey” as the song that would symbolize their aspirations as they start the struggle for victory alongside strangers, they now call brothers.
On June 15, 2002, the 220 survivors’ class were officially incorporated to the Cadet Corps. To the cheers of their parents and visitors, the plebes lived up to the challenge issued by the upper-class corps in the showdown of skills in manual of arms. On March 22, 2003, they were at last able to shake the hands of the immaculate upperclassmen. It was a bittersweet moment—but something worth remembering for the rest of their lives as each of them recalled how they endured sweat and pain at their hands.
The class carried on the proud traditions of the Academy by making the Silent Drill Company one of the most heralded in its history. Over the course of a year, they performed 34 exhibitions including ten in the Metro Manila and Region 4A areas. The most memorable of which was during the inauguration of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 30, 2004. The Slow Drill Platoon also made its mark with various engagements outside its home, particularly the Closing Ceremonies of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games held at the Quirino Grandstand in December 2005.
From April 3 to May 8, 2004, the class underwent SAF Operations Orientation Course training in Sta, Rosa, Laguna where they learned squad tactics, jungle survival, weapons handling and small unit leadership. Towards the end of the course, they conducted their field training exercises in Cabuyao, Laguna to get the feel of a field operation.
Bagsay Lahi Class started their final year in the corps by undergoing the Close Quarters Battle and Crisis Management Course conducted by the National Capital Region Police Office Light Reaction Unit. The month-long activity consisted of pistol and rifle drills, marksmanship and the entry and engagement of enemies in an enclosed facility, hence the name. It culminated with a day-long practical exercise to test their capability in responding emergencies and applying their acquired knowledge in solving situational problems.
Another important task at hand was acting as the immediate supervisors to the PNPA Class of 2009. The lessons of their own experience made the newly minted IS modify their programs on instruction to teach the plebes and improve their sense of honor and discipline with daily lectures incorporated to the usual parade drills. All squad leaders were required to keep a record of their activities in a diary which were in turn submitted to the higher authorities. Out of the 341 aspirants who were received on April 1, 2015, 326 of them were incorporated two months later.
The Cadet Attachment Program has traditionally been called the last phase. From January 4 to February 20, the graduating cadets spent their time in the field and different training schools to see for themselves the daily operations of different police units form the station up to the Provincial and Regional Headquarters. Sometimes, they had to participate in the conduct of their unit assignment’s activities so they could also get the feel and gain valuable experience.
As they prepared to leave the corps to the care of class 2007, they could not help but look back and reflect on what had happened during our long journey to earn the much-coveted anahaw leaves. Change is inevitable in every organization and the PNPA is not exempted from it. Foremost among them is the improvement of the structures instrumental for the development of the cadets into well rounded and responsible professionals. With the improved curriculum and newly constructed cadet barracks as added developments, learning would now be more convenient to the underclassmen.
When Graduation Day finally arrived on March 29, 2006 for the 173 remaining original members and the eight from the earlier batch who joined them, another journey has again begun as they faced the new challenge in their young public service career
