A RESIDENT of EB Magalona town, 2nd Lt. Carlos R. Ayomana Jr., recently graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), belonging to Madasigon Class of 2023.
Ayomana, now 23, and a resident of Hacienda Cudangdang #4 of Barangay Cudangdang, initially took up Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation at John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation in Bacolod City.
But due to financial constraints, he was not able to finish the course.
“To be honest, being in the military was not my first choice. I really wanted to become a seafarer. I tried, but my family could not support my tuition and expenses at JBLCF, even if I was a scholar,” Carlos recalls.
Carlos tried to augment the source for his tuition by joining the 824th Naval ROTC Unit for a scholarship but “it was still not enough.”
Then in 2018, as luck would have it, his colleague in the ROTC informed him about the PMA Entrance Examination (PMAEE). “Since I was not able to enroll for the second semester in the maritime school, I tried taking the PMAEE,” he said.
“Luckily, out of nearly 29,000 takers of the 2018 PMAEE, I belong to the nearly 400 cadets who will eventually compose the PMA Madasigon Class of 2023,” he added.
It was not a walk in the park, so to speak, at PMA. “My freshman year at the Academy was very exhausting yet fulfilling. Running, shouting, and the endless physical exercises are a must. But every time I recall my freshman year, it puts a smile on my face,” he adds.
Carlos considers the transition from civilian life into a regimented life of soldiers as the most challenging part of his student life at PMA. “We have learned how to let go of our civilian antics and embrace the art of military professionalism, wherein we submit our own free will to a law of perpetual constraints,” he says.
Interestingly, Carlos believes that “you don't need to study hard in order to be successful. You just need to study wisely. As they say, study smarter, not harder. Also, you study because you want to learn and not because you want to have high grades."
Even at a young age, Carlos already discovered this nugget of wisdom: “Success will follow as a result of your passion, dedication, and love for what you are doing.”
As a PMAer, Carlos believes that their alma mater already already laid the foundation for them. “Before leaving the four walls of PMA, we are already holistically equipped with character and education that are essential for our future role as leaders of the nation.”
So what’s next for him after PMA? “After graduation, we had a one-month break before reporting to the Philippine Navy. We will undergo a two-month Naval Officer Basic Course in Zambales, then six months of Marine Officer Basic Course in Cavite. Afterwards, I will be reporting to the Marine Battalion as a Platoon Commander,” he shares.
ALTAR BOY
It’s not every day that one finds an altar boy who went on to become a PMAer.
Carlos had served as an altar boy in both the St. Roch Parish in Barangay Tanza in EB Magalona and San Pedro Bautista Parish in Barangay Dos Hermanas Talisay City.
Aside from serving as altar boy, he was elected president of the Knight Ministry of both the St. Roch Parish and San Pedro Bautista Parish.
Carlos says his experience as an altar boy helped him hurdle the rigorous training and challenges of PMA— and even life in general.
“My experience as an altar server developed not just my spiritual self but also my social self. Taking part in the public worship exposed me to the crowd of believers, which improved my ability and capacity to stand in front of many people without any fear,” he shared.
He added: “Being an altar server helps me a lot in developing my potential as a leader. Directing the path of young children into a path of holiness makes me fulfill my duty as a servant of God.”
Carlos is the son of sugarcane farmers. He is the third child in a brood of three, to parents Carlos Sr. (deceased) and Tessie.
Growing up as a hard-working child, he consistently received the “Most Industrious” award from Grades 1 to 6 at Cudangdang Elementary School.
He finished his Junior High School at Tanza National School High School with a First Honorable Mention award, and his Senior High School at the Negros Occidental National Science High School in Victorias City “With Honors” and Deportment awards.
MESSAGES
Carlos has a lot of people to be thankful for.
“My sincerest gratitude to my parents for their unending support to my endeavors. They are my source of strength and inspiration,” he said.
He also thanked PMA “for molding me as a leader.”
Carlos also thanked his “kasimanwa." "Special thanks to Sir Joel Jaquinta for the support and motivation. Without your help I will not reach this far.”
“To Rev. Fr. Salvador Barcelona, and all the parishioners of St. Roch and San Pedro Bautista who included me in their prayer, thank you so much,” he added.
For Mayor Marvin Malacon, Carlos says, “You are a very supportive mayor. I offer this success of mine in honor of our beloved municipality. Your financial support when I was in Senior High School contributed to my success.”
For the Saraviahanon youth, Carlos leaves some words of inspiration, “Today is the product of yesterday and the determinant of the future. No matter what your dreams are, they are valid. Love what you are doing and make our beloved municipality proud! Trust the will of the Lord. He is preparing something for you. Lastly, keep your dream high and your feet on the ground.”*