Tinglayan, Kalinga – A cadet from Bangad, Tinglayan will be graduating on May 21 with flying colors from the country’s premier military institution.
Among the 310-strong members of the Philippine Military Academy’s MAndirigmang may DAngal SImbolo ng Galing at PagbangON (MADASIGON) Class 2023, John Rozz Oggang, 23, is the male recipient of the coveted Athletic Saber Award, a symbol of athletic superiority, highlighting the athletic prowess of a cadet.
He will likewise be graduating as cum laude.
Oggang is an achiever since a young age. He finished high school with high honors. He is a college undergraduate from Saint Louis University.
His desire to further improve himself and the encouragement of his family fueled his drive to enter the academy.
“Prior to entering the academy, I was still unsure of what I wanted to become but the academy answered it all for me. It helped me develop my character, my physical fitness, my mental capabilities, and many more,” he shared in an interview.
Since he was a plebe, he had been representing the academy in various competitions including combative sports namely, judo, jiu-jitsu, wushu, muay Thai, and boxing; racket sports such as badminton and lawn tennis; and team sports like basketball and volleyball. He also competed in other individual sports - archery, athletics, and Obstacle course racing (OCR).
With his constant participation in such sports contests, he accumulated the necessary points to come out on top of other athletes.
Losing loved ones while inside the academy
In his 4-year stay inside PMA, the most challenging experience that made the cadet vulnerable and emotional was when two of his loved ones died and he “was not able to do anything about it.”
The event, however, did not stop Oggang from excelling in his training and in the performance of his duties.
“All I did was pray and have faith in the Lord that all that is happening is within His plans for me. Eventually, I did not see it as a struggle or a challenge anymore, but rather just a part of something bigger that is planned for the right time and the right place,” he stated.
After conquering his rigorous training, he will finally be able to graduate with the awards he deserves. Graduating as cum laude and as an athletic saber awardee makes him feel overwhelmed and grateful for the endless love, sacrifice, and support of everyone who has been with him in his journey as a cadet.
“I feel so happy that I made my family and friends proud, not only for me but also for what I represent in life,” he expressed.
“Find your right purpose in life”
To aspiring cadets, Oggang posed a challenge for them to find their right purpose in life, to test themselves to the limit and know what they are capable of. He further asked that they strive to improve each day, in every aspect of life.
After his graduation rites slated for May 21, he plans to spend time with his family before getting assigned to work in a unit.
“As an Air Force officer, we are expected to go to flying school and learn how to become a pilot of the AFP. Nevertheless, I will continue to live my life as an officer, doing my best to contribute to the accomplishment of the AFP mission,” he concluded.
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