FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) here formally admitted 122 cadets as members of PMA Pudang Kalis Class of 2013 during simple recognition rites held at the Borromeo grounds Saturday morning.

Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon Jr., PMA Superintendent, said the lean but mean class is composed of 105 males and 17 females who hurdled the rigid academic and physical examinations over the past six months.

Pudang Kalis or Sacred Sword, Calderon said, means Puso’t Dangal ng Kawal ang Lipunang Nagkakaisa and the same signifies the dedication of the upcoming young military officers to work for the sustained peace in the country.

During the reception rites on April 1, 2009, 161 males and 20 females reported to the premier military school in Asia to undergo the six-month rigid training prior to their recognition as fourth-class cadets.

The recognized cadets will enjoy a four-year full scholarship in the Academy in their bid to become one of the upcoming officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The national government spending at least P2 million for each cadet to complete the four-year military course before being commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants and Ensigns in the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy, respectively.

The membership of PMA Class 2013 is considered to be one of the lowest in the military institution for the past two decades.