The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) marked its 127th founding anniversary at Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City, reaffirming its commitment to molding principled leaders for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The celebration carried the theme “Forging the Leaders of Character while Transforming into a Globally Competitive Defense Learning Institution,” reflecting the Academy’s continued evolution to meet modern defense challenges.
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Forging Future-Ready Leaders
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. graced the occasion as guest of honor and speaker, joined by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. and PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia. Teodoro described the event not merely as a ceremony, but as a strategic checkpoint for the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND).
“This morning, I asked that the 127th anniversary be a working visit for the Chief of Staff and myself,” Teodoro shared. “We heard the initiatives earlier that the PMA is undertaking to keep in step with the needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the defense establishment and with due regard to advances in technology and other developments in the geopolitical landscape,” he explained.
Teodoro underscored that the PMA’s ongoing reforms are aligned with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept—a crucial pillar of the government’s broader deterrence and modernization efforts. He emphasized the Academy’s mission to nurture both character and competence among cadets who will lead a future-ready AFP.
“What we need to provide is the environment and the capacity to shape this pool of talent into future officers, future leaders, and future decision makers,” Teodoro stressed. He noted that the main challenge now lies in bridging the gap between the Academy’s generalist foundation and the increasingly specialized demands of modern warfare.
A Legacy of Excellence and Transformation
From its beginnings as the Academia Militar founded by General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898, to its re-establishment as the PMA in 1935 under the National Defense Act, the institution has remained the cornerstone of military leadership in the country. Its milestones include the introduction of socio-humanistic courses in the 1960s and the admission of female cadets in 1993, both marking progress toward inclusivity and adaptability.
For 127 years, the PMA has stood as a symbol of honor, discipline, and service—values that continue to define the men and women who dedicate their lives to defending the nation. As the Academy embraces transformation, it reaffirms a timeless truth: true leadership is forged not just in training grounds, but in the steadfast pursuit of excellence and integrity.
