Our beloved mentor, Dr Nora Opeano Gavanes, maam, visitors, guests, classmates, a pleasant ____________ to everyone.

Fate is something neither forced nor passed judgment unto. We are different, indeed, we are unique. But in the course of life and in the call of duty, we rise together, and together, we will remain strong for our motherland we serve, live and die for

This is the living principle behind the band of 304 young men and women who heeded the call of service on the auspicious day of April 4, 2005. The rain and the hallowed grounds became the silent witnesses of how we are gradually molded to become the individuals the nation expected us to be.

The moment that we took our oath, our world became a pandemonium. However, the rain served as our blessing, as it soothes our bodies from the scorching heat of the sun and the deafening screams of their big brothers and sisters, as if it became the heavens voice for us. If I were to summarize my cadetship days in a matter of few words, it would spell years of hardship and memorable moments in our lives. As we traverse the road less travelled, we came to establish ourselves as one- as a class. One person in particular, touched my heart and made me what I am today- an officer and a leader.

It was during the beast barracks when I met Cdt Erick Fregillana, at the time we were elected as class officers. He was younger than me, yet, he exhibits wisdom beyond his years.

Together, through his leadership, we managed build the name of the class despite the challenges of being the lowest mammal in the corps. He always uttered to the class that we should stand as one and no man should be left behind- the strength of the class will be determined by the weakest link

Everything turned out well; we survived our plebehood and yearling days being guided by these very same principles. Though, a few fell from the ranks, the class had kept it to the minimum. We gradually developed our leadership and sense of responsibility among ourselves. But, we have never expected that he would suffer adult hydrocephalus. The whole class was devastated to learn the fact that the one who binds us as one would be the one who is gradually losing grip of his dear life. We did everything we can to hold him, wishing that we will graduate together with him, but to no avail. Although that was the situation, he smiled and bequeathed the responsibility to us. We were at a loss, but he left our class with a reminder: though he will be joining the next lower class, he will always be there as a member of the Kaisang-Bisig- by heart.

We moved up a level higher and I instantly became the second in command from being a lowly scribe of the class. Those very same words steer the manner of leadership that I want to exhibit. As he joined our underclass, he still navigates the class in his own little way. For a cadet, it is painful to see the person who once became your classmate is now your underclass. He does not holding grudges on anyone, despite of being rejected entry in the cadetship for two times, turned back to the next lower class and seldom treated by some of our classmates as

equal, I see him as the most selfless person in the whole corps. He always reminded me to keep our class intact. As we graduated, our class has the least casualty rate, and considered to be the largest class among the Academy graduates on the basis of the newly adapted four-year cadetship program. On our graduation day, the rain was there as if we are blessed by the heavens as we entered on the next chapter of our lives- Officership. The following year, he also graduated and was assigned at the ARMM.

On the night of November 27, 2010, I never expected that the rain will be the heavens sympathy to mens sorrow. I was so shocked to learn that he died on an encounter in Mindanao while he was performing his duty in a checkpoint. It seems that I was stabbed in the heart. A part of me was lost, yet there is If there is only one thing that I could regret, it would be the time and the opportunity that I will never have to at least say goodbye and thank him for laying down his life to each and everyone of us, members of Kaisang Bisig Class of 2009. His wisdom will serve as my guide in leading the class that I am holding right now. It is true that nothing could compare the loss of a dear friend and a comrade who inspired me to bring men together towards the achievement of a common goal- to serve and protect the motherland, yet it is high time to pay the kindness forward so that there will be more like Police Inspector Fregillana in the ranks.

Thank you Pres! You are already relieved of your post. Take a rest. It is now my time to lead and serve. Thank you and Good day!