Latest news with #PhilippineMilitaryAcademy
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Ricardo Cepeda reflects on 11-month detention: ‘Honestly, it's hard'
Ricardo Cepeda opened up about his experience being detained for 11 months due to an alleged syndicated estafa case filed against him in 2023. In Friday's 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,' Ricardo, accompanied by his partner Marina Benipayo, detailed the circumstances that led to his detention and the profound impact the experience had on him and his family. 'I was working with this company, sa isang direct selling company, and 'yung role ko in the company is a brand ambassador, a product ambassador. Which is I simply talk about my experiences using products that they distribute,' Ricardo said. The actor said that he attended meetings and presentations, and he would give testimonials on stage. 'Nalaman namin na there were backdoor meetings, which he and the other speakers didn't know about,' Marina said. Per Ricardo, operations like backdoor meetings and offering investments happened without his knowledge. 'Habang we're doing this presentation, merong ibang meeting in a private area,' he said. Ricardo had previously said he was not connected to the company involved in the complaint, saying he was only an endorser of its products. He was detained for 11 months, nine months of which were spent in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and another two months in Quezon City. 'Honestly, it's hard. It's hard,' he told Tito Boy. Ricardo, however, said that the experience did not break him. He added that he was grateful for the Philippine Military Academy training his dad put him through before as it felt like he was just doing beast barracks training all over again. 'We've always felt that there was, you know, it sounds cliche, pero everything happens for a reason. There's a plan,' he said. He was able to continue communicating with his family, which provided some comfort. 'My biggest worry, Boy, was how this will affect them outside,' he said. Marina said that she always made sure to visit Ricardo, even when he was detained in Tuguegarao. 'If I'm having a hard time, lalo na siya, 'di ba?' she said. 'I want to be there with him.' The actor was released from detention and reunited with Marina last September. —Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos to PMA 2025 grads: Modern warfare requires mental sharpness, compassion
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Saturday told graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) that modern warfare requires mental sharpness and compassion, as he called on the new members of the military to serve the country with dignity and honor. The President spoke to the graduates of PMA "Siklan-Laya" Class of 2025 during their graduation ceremony at Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City. In his speech, Marcos cited the batch's accomplishments in bringing the "PMA's name to international forays and competitions." "But beyond recognition, the most important lesson you carry is the understanding that warfare today goes beyond land, seas, and skies," he said. "We have battles that are invisible to radar—ones that take place in cyberspace, in protecting information, in safeguarding the environment, and in helping communities during crises. So physical strength and agility are no longer enough. What we need just as much—are your mental sharpness and your compassion," the President said. Marcos, nevertheless, said the PMA cadets' training now includes courses that "were once unseen in the military academy—artificial intelligence, drone operations, strategic thinking, ethical leadership, amongst others." "These are all important. But what is also important, and possibly the most important, is your love of country. That is, an officer who knows how to love his or her country despite its flaws, in the most sincere way," he said. "Our country needs men and women who put their country and others above themselves; who sacrifice for the good of all; and who overcome odds because they believe in the bright future ahead," he added. Meanwhile, topping the Siklab-Laya Class of 2025 is Cadet First Class Jessie Ticar Jr., who is a son of a vendor in Quezon City. "Isa na pong halimbawa si Cadet First Class Jessie Ticar Jr., ang valedictorian ng Siklab-Laya at ika-apat na summa cum laude sa kasaysayan ng PMA. Sa pagnanais niyang makatapos ng pag-aaral at mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang kanyang mga magulang, nagsikap siyang maging sundalo," Marcos said. (One example is Cadet First Class Jessie Ticar Jr., the valedictorian of Siklab-Laya and the fourth summa cum laude in PMA history. In his desire to finish his studies and provide a better life for his parents, he worked hard to become a soldier.) "Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok sa buhay, sa kabila ng kahirapan, at sa kabila ng pangungulila sa kanyang pamilya, nagawa pa niyang makuha ang pinakamataas na karangalan sa kanyang klase. At ngayon, maisusulat na ni Cadet First Class Ticar Jr. ang bagong kabanata ng kanilang buhay," the President said. (In spite of life's challenges, poverty, and yearning for his family, he was still able to achieve the highest distinction of his class. Now, Cadet First Class Ticar Jr. can write the new chapter of his life.) The country's Chief Executive and the military Commander-in-Chief, moreover, told the new PMA graduates that "you have an entire nation that respects and wholeheartedly believes in you." "Wherever your duty may take you, may it be in the mountains, in the seas, or communities, serve with dignity, serve with honor, serve with love," Marcos said. "And I hope that when you are at your lowest, you will remember that you have your fellow Filipinos who are praying for you and are supporting you and are behind you," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
VP Sara Duterte urges PMA graduates to be instruments of the truth, not of traitorship
Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday appealed to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) 'SIKLAB LAYA' 2025 graduates to be instruments of the truth, not of traitorship. "Lagi sana kayong maging instrumento na magsusulong ng kabutihan, ng tama, ng katotohanan, at tunay na pagbabago sa buhay ng mga Pilipinong patuloy na nangangarap, nagsusumikap, at umaasang magtatagumpay," Duterte said in a video message posted on her Facebook account. (May you always be instruments that would usher in goodness, righteousness, truth, and true change in the lives of Filipinos who are choosing to dream, work hard, and aim for victory.) "Huwag sana kayong maging kasangkapan ng pagmamalabis, pagtatraydor, at pagpapahirap ng mga nasa kapangyarihan sa mga kapwa Pilipino na katulad ninyo ay matapang na naninindigan para sa kabutihan, sa tama, sa katotohanan, at sa tagumpay ng mga Pilipino," she added. (May you not be used for abuse, traitorship, and oppression by those in power over fellow Filipinos who like you are courageously standing up for goodness, righteousness, truth, and victory of our countrymen.) Duterte gave the message as the PMA Sundalong Isinilang na Kasangga at Lakas ng Ating Bayan Para sa Kalayaan (SIKLAB LAYA) Class of 2025 holds its graduation on Saturday at the PMA grounds in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is expected to be at the graduation ceremony. The vice president said she deeply recognizes the PMA graduates' love for country which they first showed when they chose to enter the PMA. "You have chosen the life of selfless service that only the brave, the courageous, and the real patriot would choose — demonstrating strength, integrity, and honor before a nation seeking to overcome institutional abuse of power and extreme inequalities impacting mostly the poor," she said. "Sa inyong paglilingkod ay magsisiklab hindi lamang ang mga minimithi natin bilang isang malayang bansa kundi pati na rin ang pagliliyab at paglagablab ng ating lakas upang maging tunay na malaya," Duterte said. (Your service will pave the way for the fulfillment not just of our dreams as a free nation but also the strengthening of our forces so we can become truly free.) "I trust that you will continue to personify the virtues that shaped your military education and enabled you to become commendable cadets with courage, integrity, and loyalty to your noble path of duty," she added. She then urged the graduates to look forward to the future. "Keep the fervor within you burning and continue building a bright future amid every hurdle and challenge in these times of uncertainty so you may stand as a beacon of hope and strength to our hopeful nation," Duterte said. "May you always strive to restore and uphold the values of an independent, non-partisan and professional institution. One, whose sole duty is to defend the constitution," she said. "May you never yield to the greed for material gain, political pressure, or foreign influence. May you always stand unbowed. Congratulations, 'Siklab-Laya' Class of 2025! Shukran," Duterte added. —KG, GMA Integrated News
