𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗛 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁
By Dioven Cardinas
March 16, 2023
A Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet from NwSSU bagged the second place in essay writing contest during the Philippine Army Reservist’s (PAR) Caravan as part of the 126th Philippine Army Founding Anniversary.
Cdt. Jade G. Alabado, first year BS Civil Engineering student, was one of the top three winners among the 79 participants from different ROTC units in the country. Alabado received the award during the online ceremony held March 13, 2023.
In an interview, Alabado revealed that she was not expecting an award knowing that it was made out of her boredom during a two-hour class.
“Never ak kasi nag-expect nga may maka-contribute ak nga sugad sine kay an akon talaga pinsar is i-try ko la. An ungod kasi, naghimo ak essay kay na-bored la ak sa klase nga two hours,” she said.
Nevertheless, Alabado believed that the ‘perspective of the advocacy’ she wrote in her essay made it stand out from other entries.
“Not the advocacy itself but the perspective within that advocacy. It’s about the union focusing on the future generation, eventually sira an magti-take part of the government’s future implementations,” Alabado explained.
The topic of the essay contest focused on the contribution of an ROTC cadet to national development and security.
Alabado’s essay mentioned an advocacy which she called, “The Power of Being a Cadet: Prevention is Better than Cure.” It focused on the strategic recommendation in producing future leaders and members that are ‘development and security oriented’ citizens.
“I aim to alter the negative perception among people that becoming a cadet is burdensome and to put emphasis on the long-term benefit of becoming one, such as equipping and developing skills of leadership, developing discipline with oneself, teamwork, and sense of patriotism,” her winning piece reads.
Essay outputs of the participants were submitted online via email address, and aside from the award, Cdt. Alabado will receive a cash prize for placing top in the essay category.
