During our graduation, I also received military leadership award as the former Corps Commander of the 525th Department of Air Science and Tactics under the 5th Air Reserve Center based at Mactan Air Base in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu. In the same year, I took and passed the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. I love to serve this country as a teacher but ever since I wanted to be a soldier of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the reason why I took both the Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) and the qualifying exam for the Probationary Officer Training Course, a program of the PAF for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) graduates who want to become Reserved Officer of the PAF. Luckily I passed both exams and followed the long and strict process until I became a member of the Probationary Officer Training Course (POTC) Class 2020.

Also, I took the Basic Air Force Officer Course (BAFOC), a course that needs to be taken by aspiring officers of the PAF to prepare them for their future role as young lieutenants and a prerequisite POTC. I graduated from BAFOC as an honor graduate awardee with no grade lower than 85 and I was able to be in the top 10. I finished the POTC on December 10, 2020, as top four, out of thirty-one students. Now, I am processing my commissionship to the PAF as a requirement to be called to active duty as a second lieutenant of the PAF.

All of those achievements will not be made possible without God who strengthen me, the selfless sacrifice of my parents, the unconditional love of my girlfriend, the undying support of my classmates in academics, my mates in ROTC, friends in our community, the guidance of our mentors, and most especially the financial assistance I received during my third year and fourth year in college from the Expanded Students-Grants-in Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) scholarship. This scholarship played a very important role in all of my success in so many ways, without this scholarship I would not have been so productive and motivated during my college days.

The ESGP-PA scholarship provided almost all of my needs from food, uniform, financial, up to the dormitory. I could ask for nothing more because of the provisions under the scholarship, which allowed me to focus on my studies. We were so lucky to avail of this scholarship because students like me who come from poor families are sometimes left behind because of poverty. The scholarship gave me a way to gain leverage and succeed. In addition, the moment I became a grantee of the ESGP-PA, I made a promise to myself that I will do my best and strive hard, and that all the support I received from the government will not be wasted. I wanted to prove to them that they made the right decision in choosing me as one of the recipients of this scholarship. Thank you also to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for prioritizing 4Ps beneficiaries as their recipients.

I hope and pray that all the students who received this financial assistance from the government or private companies will spend their money wisely, always strive for excellence and become successful citizens of this country, because there are a lot of students who are more qualified to be a recipient of the scholarship, and yet they were not chosen or given the opportunity.

After one year of waiting, my dream came to reality. I am now an official member of the Philippine Air Force Officer Corps and the long wait is over. Presently, I am assigned at Tactical Operations Wing West (TOW West) located at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, as Executive Officer OF the 577th Communication Electronics Information System Squadron. It is not easy to hold multiple offices at the same time, sometimes you have to sacrifice your sleep just to finish the tasks and compliances. Working away from my loved ones is still hard for me but knowing that I am now giving them the comfortable life we never had before boosts my morale and motivates me to continue working every day with passion and joy in my heart. Special thanks to my loving girlfriend who never fails to support me throughout my journey. Without her and her family’s support and encouragement, I will not be able to achieve all of these accomplishments.

I cannot stand hearing my brother and sister complaining every time when heavy rain pours because the rainwater seeps through the holes in our roof and walls. That was why I decided to give my family a safe and comfortable house to sleep in. So that no matter how heavy the rain falls, or how strong the wind blows they can continue their rest. The construction is still ongoing.

Now, for my career development, my next goal is to qualify for Military Pilot Training to become a pilot in the Philippine Air Force. I am now on the first step of the process which is the Limited Physical Examination. After this will be the Military Pilot Aptitude Test. I hope and pray that the next time I update this story of change is that I already earn my wings, all in God’s loving guidance and protection and the support of both leaders and comrades. MGC (Submitted by Cadiz City, Negros POO1)