Demystifying Plebehood: My Fondest Memories of Being a Dumb Guard (Part 4- Cadet Speak 2)

 As I’ve said, cadet lingo, just like any other language, evolves through time. I wouldn’t be surprised if I would not be able to understand (ma- gets) some of the words cadets dish out now. The social media has significantly influenced life inside the Corps. Up to what extent, we do not know but it is clear that cadets are not prevented from interacting with the outside world albeit some limitations.

During our times (for lack of a better phrase), any food was boodle or boodles. Boodlefight (not boodlesfight) is lunch shared by a group of people usually served on banana leaves spread over a long table. As an unwritten rule, no spoons and forks are allowed in a boodlefight where everything is free for all. Pancit, adobong manok, bagoong, okra, scrambled eggs, sardines and eggplant are the most affordable viands and thus the most popular boodlefight combinations. Lechon baboy or manok (roasted pig/ chicken) is also an excellent crowd drawer. To give it a little twist, red chili pepper- plenty of it, are embedded in the viands. Boodlefigt has become popular among politicians more recently, because it gives them more masa appeal.

When a cadet says he or she is ‘on the red’, it could mean he or she is in debt or does not have enough funds or money; or his current academic standing is below the passing. He could be in debt if his Cadet Individual Savings Account (CISA) is already negative- highlighted with a red mark, which means he has been spending or withdrawing a lot. If it is an academic matter, he should immediately seek extra instructions to recover and pass the course at the end of the semester otherwise he could be suspended or dismissed.

Kaydet Girl

The Corps conducts a grand ball every year called the ‘battalion hop’. This allows the cadets to practice their skills in social graces and of course, to give them an opportunity to meet new friends. Before a ‘hop’, they are allowed to go out to Baguio City (or anywhere within a 24 kilometer radius, if I’m not mistaken) to invite his or her ‘drag’ or partner. Drag? Yes, a ‘drag’ for the gents and ‘dragon’ for the ladies. Battalion Hops usually showcase the most beautiful ladies of Baguio City- usually from the nearby universities such as UP, SLU, BCF and others. I have heard more than enough love stories that blossomed from these hops. Kaydet Girls of cavaliers long retired from the service still reminisce the day their husbands brought them to the dance floor to the tune of My Kaydet Girl. And of course, there are those that didn’t prosper and left indelible marks. Ouch.

 My Kaydet Girl"

"On her lips was a smile my kaydet girl.
On her eyes are the stars above.
For her face is a poem of beauty.
Can you blame me, sweet, for falling in love?

Won't you come, dear, to me?
I'll shower you with a kiss on each raven curl.

Won't you come into my arms, dance to our song?
For I love you my kaydet girl."

The Shaku: more than a headgear (Courtesy: pma.ph)

Ever wondered what that red cap of a cadet is called? That’s called a ‘shaku’. Cadet Officers wear a feather duster- like adornment called a ‘plume’ on top of it while the underclasses (1^st to 3^rd year) have ‘pompoms’ on theirs. The shaku is only used with a full dress white uniform which is considered a sacred uniform for every cadet.

Ladies, don’t ever attempt to borrow a cadet’s cap or any headgear for that matter, unless you want him to give you a kiss. So, if your boyfriend is the shy or torpe type, pretend that you’ve never read this and put on his cap. If he still wouldn’t take the cue, tell him something like “Diba may tradisyon kayo pag sinusuot ng babae ang cap ninyo?” Mushy. Anyway, the more romantic but shy ones will ask you to stroll with them down the Flirtation Walk. Again, as a matter or custom and tradition, a cadet should be able to get a lady’s YES at the end of this more or less 75-meter alley (with a magnificent view of Mt. Sto. Tomas). But don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t even hold your hands or plant a kiss on your cheeks because PDAs are absolutely not allowed inside the PMA grounds. Well, there were those who were daring and quick enough and got away with it. Is Kissing Rock still ‘alive’?

He who dares, wins

There are many areas inside the PMA that are ‘off-limits’ to cadets especially to plebes. They are prevented from entering certain premises during specific hours. It would take you so much as a single step outside a particular demarcation line to be reported for crossing an ‘off-limits’ area. Plebes, however, are masters of escape and evasion. They could scale any wall or crawl under barb wires or fences under the cover of darkness. They can get into the Mess Hall without nobody noticing them to get the most coveted rice and viand consciously prepared for them by the ever- reliable manongs (waiters and utility workers). Before you know it, they are back to their beds after consuming several long johns or pancit canton. This is called ‘taking life’ or ‘take life’. It is basically an art of doing something so important to you that it could mean your life such as a harsh punishment or even dismissal. But cadets are too careful and well indoctrinated so that these acts do not violate the Honor Code (this is subject to another discussion).

Speaking of ‘take life’, cadets do this in various forms or ways. The ingredients are basically the same- ingenuity, daring or guts, and of course agility or quickness. A plebe for example can bake a hotcake over a flat iron in the middle of darkness without anybody noticing him. He can shine several pairs of shoes and boots while everybody is busy doing something else. He can steal a few minutes of sleep or dose off in the middle of a class. He can change the color of the ‘pompom’ on top of Melchor Hall before the sun shines. He can study inside a toilet cubicle where no one can disturb him. 

A cadet’s daring is endless. As they say, ‘who dares, wins’. This is perhaps the reason why cavaliers are known for being more than willing to take risks for something they believe in. They act based on calculated risks knowing that if they fail, it could make or break them. I recall a Mistah who used to be one of the strongest cadets and ‘pinakamalakas mag- take life’ when we were cadets. he would escape in the wee hours of the morning just to get food from the bowling canteen (there used to be one). He can absorb any punishment given to him whenever he got caught. But he shared to us whatever his ‘loot’ was. A few years ago, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star (DCS) the second highest award for combat (next to Medal of Valor) for his exploits in the field.

"Lt Dimas Jun D Balais...was the Section Leader of the 8th Scout Ranger Company, FSRR who fought with fully armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Pilar, Sorsogon on September 25, 2009. He skilfully led his men closer to the enemy amidst the rebels’ grazing fire and engaged the rebels in a close combat, killing nine rebels. His courage and gallantry also saved the life of his soldier who was attacked from the back and was wrestled by an enemy bigger than him, when the latter’s rifle malfunctioned. Balais immediately came to rescue his comrade killing the enemy at gunpoint.Balais also spearheaded the assault against the remaining rebels who were in total disarray. The operation also resulted to the recovery of various high-powered firearms to include seven M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, three hand grenades, and assorted ammunition." (Source: http://www.army.mil.ph)

http://www.philstar.com

His gallantry in action earned him other distinctions as a combat officer. He is a pride of our class. His cadet years surely taught him well.