CDT 1CL Tristan Pocais Paltongan, will receive the Chief of Staff Saber Award later today during the PMA Masaligan Class 2021 Commencement Exercises. This award will be given to him to recognize the efforts he had exerted during his term as the Brigade Commander, as the overall commander of Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP).
He grew up in Baguio and Tabuk City. He is the son of Imelda Pocais Paltongan and Rex Milo Paltongan.
It takes series of deliberation/selection from the senior officers and the collective opinion of mistah (classmates) to be qualified for the said award.
As of writing, CDT 1CL Paltongan is the Deputy Brigade commander, the second in line, since the command have set 2 Brigade commanders, one from 1st sem and another for 2nd sem. He was appointed for the 2nd sem. For the Graduation, there were deliberations conducted and the 1st sem Brigade Commander was chosen as the Class Baron to represent their class.
"Di ko inexpect magkaaward since sa knowledge namin na yung award will be given to the graduating Class Baron or Brigade Commander. However, our Superintendent, pinush niya na dalawa kami ng mistah ko na baron ngayon. Both of us will be awarded with the saber dahil sa efforts namin para mabago ung Cadet Corps and likewise mahandle yung corps ng maayos despite na may pandemic". Paltongan said.
"For the youth especially to our kailyan's ay I-Cordilleran, we should dream big and aim high. Likewise, we should not forget to pray, regardless of what church or religion you belong. Dreaming Big and having faith, nothing is impossible with God. Hindi bawal mangarap at ito'y walang hangganan. Tulad noon na sabi ko gusto kong maging ayer at sundalo someday, ngayon, sa lahat ng kahirapan at challenges na nameet ko sa buhay, ganap na akong graduate ng PMA at sundalo na ngayon. Let's just do our best. Para sa Diyos. Para sa Bayan." he added.
By Eisenhower C. Bucalen
Two Igorot among Top 10 Topnotchers of PMA MASALIGAN Class of 2021
