Last 12 March 2023, the University of the Philippines Diliman Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Unit (UPD ROTCU) celebrated the graduation of Cadet Officer Candidate Course Batch 73-A (COCC) “Sandiwa” in a ceremony held at Magno Hall, DMST Complex, UP Diliman. Throughout the training, the batch proved itself more than ready for the challenges they would face as the frontline staff and unit commanders amid the resumption of face-to-face classes this semester.
The event was graced by the presence of the Guest of Honor and Speaker VANGUARD MARIA REGINA CORAZON SEVILLA-SIBAL, the first female Corps Commander of UPD ROTCU, an esteemed member of the Vanguard Class of 2000, an accomplished educator, and currently the lead convenor of Aral Pilipinas.
In addition to presenting certificates of completion and cadet commission, and awards to the graduating cadet officer candidates, she also gave words of guidance to the graduates on how they should strive to fulfill their ambitions and responsibilities even in the face of their own disadvantages and circumstances. She talked about how unity transforms a cadet officer candidate into a member of a much more capable team of cadet officers, how they could overcome their shortcomings and leverage their abilities to emerge as effective leaders, and how to prioritize goals and maximize limited resources to accomplish one’s intent.
Batch 73-A presented her with a commemorative fountain pen and ink as a token of their appreciation. It symbolized how, with the tickler as their rifles, the former COCs’ pens and ink were the ammunition with which they would take aim at the challenges of their training to become better and better with each passing day.
The graduates of Batch Sandiwa who were commissioned to the rank of Cadet Second Lieutenants are:
C2Lt Smurf Angelo M Agbay 3Cl
C2Lt Oliver Wendell C Amazona 3Cl
C2Lt Shann Angela A Basilio 3Cl
C2Lt Jaygil C Blanco 3Cl
C2Lt Thrixie Anne M Caridad 3Cl
C2Lt John Harold S Celucia 3Cl
C2Lt Audrey Rose T Crisostomo 3Cl
C2Lt Jose Vicente Miguel B Dave 3Cl
C2Lt Phoebus B Delos Santos 3Cl
C2Lt Danielle Therese C Felipe 3Cl
C2Lt Kate Cielo S Ferrer 3Cl
C2Lt Jordan P Gumapos 3Cl
C2Lt Teodoro Michaelo A Jose IX 3Cl
C2Lt Mervin John K Manaois 3Cl
C2Lt Brenden Ashley Q Molina 3Cl
C2Lt Jacques Pierre C Olaivar 3Cl
C2Lt Junarose E Rey 3Cl
C2Lt Victor Edwin E Reyes 3Cl
C2Lt Augustine Nicóle C Sanchez 3Cl
C2Lt Ivan Gabriel D Sitson 3Cl
C2Lt Kane Rian D Solano 3Cl
C2Lt Santiago Anton C Suarez 3Cl
C2Lt Zarah Nicolle F Torrijos 3Cl
Following the graduation ceremony, the graduates marched on the grounds of the DMST Complex for the first time as full-pledged cadet officers. They then took their guests on a tour of the Granadillos Hall, the cadet officers’ barracks where they lived and worked. Finally, the event concluded with a reception held at and catered by JoeMag’s.
The Group Commander of NCR Regional Community Defense Group, COL FERDINAND REY G GA PA, the UP Diliman NSTP Director, Professor Dennis F. Quilala, and the Director of 1302nd Community Defense Center, LTC DEMIER A BACASMAS PA, were also present during the ceremony along with UPD ROTC Unit Commandant, COL RANDY O REMONTE PA (RES), and the Assistant Commandant, MAJ FERDINAND PAOLO S QUIOCHO PA.
Many are called but only few are chosen.
Congratulations to the newest set of cadet officers that joined the ranks of UP Diliman ROTC Corps of Cadets!
