PMA topnotcher says he got anxious for loved ones during pandemic, plebe days were hard

BAGUIO CITY - Anxious of the state of his loved ones amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Cadet First Class Warren Leonor admitted that his plebe days inside the Philippine Military Academy had been difficult.

Warren entered the PMA in 2019, a year before the country implemented lockdowns as it battled COVID-19. 

In an interview with GMA News Online, the PMA “Madasigon” Class of 2023 valedictorian recalled that his first year in the military school was the most difficult.

There was that period of adjustment from being a civilian to becoming a plebe who was subjected to exhaustive military training.

“I can say that my first year in the Academy as a plebe was the hardest because it was the time when we experienced a complete transformation from being a civilian to becoming a military while also being subjected to rigorous training.
It was also the moment when the outbreak began and there was an abrupt shift into online classes,” Warren said.

Warren said he and his fellow cadets had to adapt and discover new approaches inside the PMA and “measure our own productivity in learning.”

In addition to the tough drills he had to face in a single day, Warren's thoughts were also with his family in Batangas amid the health crisis as well as during the Taal Volcano eruption in the beginning of 2020.

“Moreover, I was anxious during my second year here at PMA because I was worried of the well-being of my loved ones throughout the year-long quarantine and also about the eruption of Taal Volcano during that time,” Warren said.

Warren recalled that he and his fellow cadets got disappointed when their respective families were not allowed to attend their recognition rites due to the health and movement restrictions amid the pandemic.

"Noong pandemic po, during our recognition day, hindi na po nakapasok 'yung parents namin. Sobrang nalungkot po kami na they were not able to enter because doon na nagsimula 'yung lockdown," Warren said.

Social media, Warren said, really helped them a lot in communicating with their families and relatives.

"We were given the privileges to communicate with them and 'yung way po na kahit sa social media makausap namin 'yung parents namin, parang somehow na-lessen 'yung anxiety ko, kung ano man 'yung kalagayan nila during pandemic," Warren said.

Warren also shared difficult times with his fellow cadets and that had become their form of bonding, aside from engaging into sports, tournaments, and other forms of social activities.

He said he is also into sports like taekwondo, badminton, and basketball.

"First of all po 'yung parang nagiging light moments namin dito sa Academy is through interaction with our roommates... Sa room lang din kami laging nagsha-share ng problem, mga experiences, mga moments namin na parang 'pag napag-usapan namin, parang medyo gumagaan o nababawasan 'yung stress namin," he said.

Warren has a message for those who want to enter the Academy and have a career in the military sector. He said one should not be afraid of experiencing losses in life.

"Always believe in yourself. Pursue your ambitions and always remember that achieving success requires pushing beyond limits and exploring your capabilities to attain your objectives and goals in life. Lastly, do not hesitate to face defeat or bear the regret of not trying," Warren said.

There were a total of 239 male members of the Madasigon class while 72 are females.

A total of 158 will be joining the Philippine Army, 76 at the Philippine Air Force and 77 at the Philippine Navy.

Leonor said he wants to join the Philippine Air Force. —KG, GMA Integrated News