Runner gets PMA’s athletic saber award

A SEASONED long distance runner bested some 124 cadets and cadettes of the graduating Puso’t Dangal ng mga Kawal ng Lahing Nagkakaisa or Pudang Kalis Class 2013 to receive the athletic saber award of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Cadet first class Mark Rolly Bacani, 22, a member of the PMA athletic squad, will receive the special award during a simple ceremony March 14 prior to their graduation.

“Di ko inexpect na makukuha ko yung athletic saber award pero sa tulong ng pamilya ko at mga raltives ko, lalo po akong nagpursige,” said the farmer’s son from San Fernando, La Union.

Bacani, the third son of five all male children, has consistently running long distance races since his entry to PMA where he has joined numerous national running events like the annual Milo Marathon and the Subic International Marathon.

During his freshman year, Bacani also bagged a bronze medal in the 5,000 run event of the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League and won the PNPA-PMA dual meet 10 kilometer cross country run.

“Ever since high school ako, tumatakbo na ako kasi ang running malaki ang naitutulong sa physical fitness,” added Bacani, who will be called the class Tarzan for receiving such feat.

The entering naval officer, aside from running has also played arnis during PMA’s intramurals, including chess and volleyball.

Bacani will be among the 28 PMA graduates to enter the Navy from the 124 graduating class of Pudang Kalis.

Pudang Kalis was derived from a Muslim team which means sacred sword passed by a Muslim clan generation symbolizing the heart and honor of the graduating class.