The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) convened its 2026 Alumni Homecoming on Saturday at Borromeo Field, drawing the largest gathering of Cavaliers in five years and reaffirming the enduring bonds that link generations of the country’s premier military academy. Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, President Pro Tempore of the Senate and a proud alumnus, served as Guest of Honor and Speaker at the ceremony held within the storied grounds of Fort General Gregorio H. del Pilar.
This year’s homecoming, themed “Fostering Unity and Excellence: Strengthening Bonds and Advancing Traditions,” underscored the shared heritage and continuing responsibilities of PMA graduates whose service has shaped the Armed Forces of the Philippines and national life for nearly a century. Organizers reported a total of 1,741 alumni attendees — the highest turnout in the last five years — spanning from the eldest participant, Cavalier Filoteo Arevalo of Class 1956, aged 92, to the youngest, Cavalier Alexis Mison of Class 2025, aged 21. The wide generational arc illustrated what alumni often describe as the “Long Gray Line,” the unbroken chain of officers formed by the Academy across decades.
In his welcome address, Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard N. Valencia described the homecoming as far more than an annual reunion. It is, he said, “a return to shared memories, to a common identity, and to an institution that has shaped the character and destiny of countless officers who have answered the call of the country.” The gathering, he noted, reunites Cavaliers “bound not by time, but by enduring values of honor, service, and excellence,” principles that have defined the Academy since its founding.
Ceremonial traditions unfolded throughout the morning, including the Entry of Alumni Flags — a procession symbolizing the identity and legacy of each graduating class — and the donning of medallions on jubilarians marking milestone anniversaries. The PMAAAI also conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards and Cavalier Awards on selected alumni in recognition of exemplary contributions to national development, both in uniformed service and civilian leadership. These recognitions, organizers said, affirm the Academy’s enduring influence across the military, public administration, law enforcement, diplomacy, and private enterprise.
A central moment of the program came when Senator Lacson administered the oath of office to the incoming PMAAAI Board of Trustees for 2026–2027, formally installing the leadership that will guide the association’s programs in alumni welfare, institutional support, and national service initiatives. The ceremony symbolized continuity between generations — from those who built the association in the postwar years to the newest Cavaliers stepping into alumni leadership roles.
PMAAAI Chairman and CEO for Academic Year 2025–2026, Cavalier Ramon T. Punzalan ’76, reflected on the deeper meaning of the homecoming in his message to attendees. “Today, we return not merely to a place, but to a purpose,” he said. “We gather once more on these hallowed grounds — where we were shaped, tested, and molded — under the theme: ‘Fostering Unity and Excellence: Strengthening Bonds and Advancing Traditions.’ This theme is not aspirational alone; it is a reminder of who we are and what is expected of us as Cavaliers.” His remarks framed the reunion not simply as remembrance but as recommitment to the Academy’s ideals.
For Senator Lacson, whose career spans law enforcement leadership, legislative service, and national security policy, the homecoming carried personal resonance. Addressing fellow Cavaliers, he spoke of a bond that transcends time and rank. “Despite the decades that separate us, there is an unbreakable bond that closes the years between us,” he said. “A shared experience bridges every class that extends the Long Gray Line, year after year. It is the trinity of our being: Courage, Integrity, Loyalty — three words that have never faded with time. Here in Fort del Pilar, these words have always had names, faces, and stories to tell.” His message linked personal memory with institutional heritage, reminding alumni that their individual journeys form part of a collective narrative of national service.
Beyond the formal program, the homecoming served as a powerful social and emotional reunion. Alumni exchanged stories of cadet life, campaigns, and postings across the archipelago and abroad, reconnecting with mistahs and underclassmen who once shared the rigors of training and the burdens of command. For many, returning to Fort del Pilar revived memories of formation drills at Borromeo Field, academic halls echoing with recitations, and the austere routines that forged lifelong discipline and camaraderie.
Observers note that the PMA Alumni Homecoming has evolved into a major institutional event not only for the Academy but also for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, reflecting the central role of PMA graduates in military leadership. A significant proportion of senior AFP officers, police generals, and defense officials are Cavaliers, and the alumni association maintains active programs supporting cadet welfare, infrastructure development, and scholarship assistance. The strong turnout this year signals continuing engagement by alumni across sectors and generations.
The 2026 gathering also comes amid renewed attention to professional military education and leadership development in the Philippines, as the AFP pursues modernization and expanded international cooperation. Alumni leaders emphasized that sustaining the Academy’s traditions and values remains essential to maintaining public trust in the military and ensuring that future officers embody the ethical standards expected of national guardians.
As the ceremony concluded and alumni dispersed across the campus — some visiting memorials, others posing for class photographs beneath the pine-lined hills — the sense of continuity was unmistakable. From the oldest Cavalier present to the newest graduate, each attendee embodied a chapter in the Academy’s unfolding story. Together they affirmed what organizers described as the enduring mission of the PMA and its alumni: to form leaders of character, bound by honor and committed to the defense and service of the Filipino people.
The PMA Alumni Homecoming 2026 thus stood not only as a reunion of former cadets but as a reaffirmation of institutional identity — a reminder that the ideals learned at Fort del Pilar continue to guide those who carry the nation’s trust in uniform and beyond.
Photos: Philippine Military Academy Public Affairs Office