Mark Evan Onrubia
Mark
Evan was the first among the Mandalans to join The Creator. He was also the
class’ first battle casualty when his team was waylaid by NPAs in Abra on May
17, 2007. He was killed along with 6 other soldiers in Boliney town just after
the elections that year. His team was tasked to clear the way for the safe
passage of the ballot boxes from the polling centers when they were overwhelmed
by about 40 rebels.
I was performing the same task somewhere in the mountains of Guihulngan City in
Negros Oriental when I got the news from another Mistah, Mayo Mallari. Mark
Evan has been one of the very first classmates whom I became close with because
we belonged to the same squad during the summer camp of the New Cadet Battalion
(NCBn). We were arranged alphabetically hence we got into the same squad but at
the end of the summer camp, he went to Hawk Company while I settled with Alfa
Company. He was a shy and silent guy but a very intelligent one. A very religious
man, he regularly wrote for the “The Corps” Magazine until we graduated. We
never saw each other again after graduation. It was unfortunate that I never
had the chance to even visit his wake. I hope he did not take it against me.
Roldan Samera, Ermin Soloren, Eugene Pinera
August
21, 2007 was another sad day for the Mandalans. This report from the Inquirer
partly relays the story:
PMA’s Class of 2006 mourns loss of 3 ‘mistahs’MANILA, Philippines -- Until just a year ago, they were all together in military school, following the same orders, pulling through the same field training missions, exchanging laughs in the barracks and sharing dreams of one day honoring their nation with unquestioning service. On Saturday, Class 2006 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) parted ways with three mistahs (PMA classmates) for good, losing men they considered brothers in a war that has been troubling Mindanao since the time before they were born. Junior military officers from the PMA Mandala (Mandirigmang Dangal ng Lahi) Class of 2006 are one in mourning the deaths of Marine Lieutenants Eugene Machiste Piñera, Roldan Samera and Ermin Soloren, all 23 years old and among the 15 Marines killed in close-quarter battle against the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan on Saturday.
Curiously, these Mistahs shared the same trait aside from being
brave warriors and die- hard Marines. All of them were the silent- type
especially Eugene and Ermin. Roldan on the other hand, possessed a perpetual
smiling face- one which had no hint of any problem at all. Ermin was a very
focused and dedicated person particularly when it comes to mentoring the
underclass. His silence was oftentimes misconstrued as being ‘suplado’ but I
knew him as a very approachable guy with a deep sense of responsibility. Eugene
was very cordial and friendly as he would always greet me whenever we met along the hallway
of the barracks, or anywhere inside the PMA grounds.
Ermin wrote well. I remember him writing an article for the
Corps Mag which tackled the Medal of Valor controversy (you might want to read
about this). He excelled in Math and other Sciences and I think he finished
with a degree in Information Sciences like Mark Zember. He finished 9th overall and graduated as Magna Cum Laude. That’s how brilliant he
was.
Roldan and Eugene were more known for their cool personalities. I never heard their names being announced by the Adjutant for any
infractions of misdemeanors. Both wore their full dress white uniform with extra snap.
Ariel Toledo
Ariel who graduated as our Presidential Saber Awardee for being the
Number 1, was one of the Kuya’s of our class being a little bit older than most
of the Mistahs. He finished a degree in engineering before becoming a cadet. He
was a very soft- spoken, intelligent and snappy cadet. He was one of those who
were always willing to extend a helping hand to the rotting (cadets who had
difficulties in academics) ones. He gave extra instructions or personal
tutorials to those lagging behind in academics especially when exams were
forthcoming. He always went the extra- mile and excelled in almost every
subject. He was usually exempted from taking the finals but he made it habit to
take the exams because he has always advocated excellence. He was very
athletic. He ran fast and physical fitness tests were nothing to him. He played
baseball well. Like Mark Zember, he was very unassuming and was a fine leader
himself. He became the Brigade Executive Officer when we became the ruling
class.
Ariel
succumbed to cancer of the bile duct- a very rare type of cancer. Many people
including those we didn’t know contributed for his hospitalization but the
disease was just too much for his body to bear. He bravely fought a very hard
battle and eventually, his body gave up, though his mind never quit. He passed
away on September 6, 2007 leaving behind nothing but goodness to his family and love ones. He will forever be remembered as Mr. Nice Guy.
