Negrense youth defies challenges, finishes among PMA’s finest

Fighting for your dreams and aspirations in Negros has always been challenging; one has to endure the harsh realities of life, from dawn to dusk, and break bones, with sweat falling, just to achieve them.

Twenty four-year old cadet first class Mark Clement Centina, ranked 10th among the 207 cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Talang Dangal (Tagapagtanggol Ng Lahing Dakila at Marangal) Class of 2026.

He was among thousands of Negrenses who pursued their dreams and defied numerous challenges to honor their families’ sacrifices.

Centina grew up in Barangay Burgos, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, and is the eldest of two siblings. Her father was a retired enlisted military member who served for 27 years, and her mother was a sugarcane technician.

He was a graduate of Negros Occidental Science High School (NOSH) and pursued an undergraduate degree in economics at the University of the Philippines-Visayas (UP-V).

But two years before his college graduation, the young Negrense dreamer had challenged himself by entering the PMA in 2022.

“There was a connotation that I would consider entering the military since I am the son of a soldier, but it was not instilled in me. All I want is to finish my college education and help my parents to give back the honor after all of their sacrifices,” he told Brigada News FM Philippines on Thursday, May 7.

Centina, however, cannot deny that he grew up with the discipline instilled by his parents, especially his father, but was not forced to enter the military profession.

Because of this, he said he learned to be independent, which honed his individuality, especially when facing hardships, without asking his parents for help.

“I always make sure to put in my best efforts at school, with free education from high school through college, including financial assistance from our city,” he said.

Centina took economics because he wanted to become a lawyer and chose it as a pre-law course, he said.

Overwhelmed

Centina said that upon learning that he would graduate with flying colors in the military institution, he was overwhelmed.

“I was really overwhelmed when I learned that I was in the top 10, because with the struggles we had endured, it is such a blessing for my family and for me. It’s just a bonus that I made it into the top 10. The most important thing is to graduate,” he said.

The PMA has three branches of service, where cadets can choose one after graduation: the Philippine Army (PA), the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and the Philippine Navy.

Centina said he will serve the Filipino people by joining the Philippine Army, seeing it as the most people-oriented branch.

“I chose the Philippine Army because I wanted to be with the people, because it is a ground unit and closest to the people,” he said.

Centina said that the training of the institution improved his leadership style, especially in handling people.

“It developed the way I deal with people, especially the type of leadership I show them, because how we handle people is crucial, as we are responsible for their safety and in charge of the team.”

Before PMA

Centina did not finish his college education when he was called to serve the country, amid hesitations from his family, especially on his mother’s side.

“Honestly, I can’t explain the weight of entering the PMA, at first, emotionally and mentally, because of the thought that you will be away from your family for how many years, and there are several uncertainties that you have to overcome,” he said. “Joining the noble profession of Arms is a calling,” he added.

When Centina entered the military institution, the country was still reeling from the global health emergency caused by COVID-19. “I was thinking during the COVID-19 crisis that serving the people at the same time, my family, and graduating from my previous school is just the same as if I joined the PMA,” he said.

Centina faced challenges upon entering the PMA, which transformed him into a better person, shaped by the institution’s discipline and teachings.

“PMA is a military institution; during the first year, there will be a huge transition from civilian to military life,” he said. “Each year has a different degree of difficulty, but it will expose you to various experiences to hone yourself not just in leadership aspects but also your character in how you deal with situations.”

Nearly giving up

Centina did not sugarcoat his words and openly said that he was almost quit because of the rigorous training inside the institution. “I can’t deny the fact that here in PMA, with all the rigorous training that we have, it will really come to your mind that you will quit, or you will somehow give up, but with all the strong support system, with the help of my mistah as well, and with God’s grace and guidance, I’m happy that I was able to overcome those challenges,” he said.

Centina also shared his toughest moment at the institution during his 2nd year, when he had to prove himself in “character, academics, military, and physical.” “It is also the time when you have to juggle several duties and responsibilities while setting yourself as a good example to your 4th class,” he said.

Centina said that amid all the difficult roads he had to cross, his family remained his motivation, the core reason he kept going. Now, he is set to graduate on May 16 at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City.* (Reymund Titong)