Another Batch of Two Filipino Cadet Scholars Graduate From The National Defense Academy of Japan
Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V (right in suit) led the Oath of Allegiance of 2nd Lieutenants Allan Kenny M. Manuel (left most) and Bernard Bagorio (2nd left). Also in attendance was Defense Attaché Col. Noel Z. Plaza.
Another batch of two (2) Filipino cadet scholars graduated from the prestigious National Defense Academy (NDA) of Japan in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, on 18 March 2018. They were Allan Kenny M. Manuel, 22 years old from Tingalayan, Kalinga, and Bernard Bagorio, 26 years old from Cagayan de Oro City.
The Japanese Government has annually offered full scholarship to PMA cadets to study at NDA since 1996 under NDA’s international exchange program. The scholarship covers a 5-year program that includes one year Nihongo language training and the four-year regular university-level course. Established in 1952, the NDA is the military academy of Japan and its cadet graduates receive academic degrees in science and engineering.
Both Messrs. Manuel and Bagorio were PMA freshman cadets in 2012 prior to joining NDA from 2013 to 2018. On 18 March 2018, 490 cadets graduated from NDA, including Messrs. Manuel and Bagorio. The two Filipino cadets were among the 20 foreign cadets who graduated recently. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the graduation ceremony as the Commander-in-Chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
One day after their graduation, Messrs. Manuel and Bagorio took their Oath of Allegiance and attended the donning of ranks as second lieutenants in simple ceremonies held at the Embassy on 19 March 2018 and led by Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V. The ceremony was attended by Embassy personnel, Filipino cadets of NDA, the families and the Japanese foster families of the newly commissioned officers.
Upon their return to the Philippines, both Messrs. Manuel and Bagorio will join the Philippine Army as 2nd Lieutenants. Both newly commissioned officers expressed their appreciation to their respective families in the Philippines and foster family in Japan, the Philippine and Japanese Governments, and to all the upper and lower classmen at NDA for their support and cooperation.
Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V (middle in suit) posed with the newly commissioned officers 2nd Lieutenants Allan Kenny M. Manuel (6th from the left) and Bernard Bagorio (8th from the right). Also in attendance was Defense Attaché Col. Noel Z. Plaza (7th from the right) and the eight (8) Filipino cadets currently studying at NDA.
