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              On 14th April 2018, 458 hopefuls of the 11,000 applicants who took the highly competitive MAAP entrance examination at different test centers nationwide showed up and converged in the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific where they underwent some physical training as part of the traditional reception ceremonies.

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              For the applicants of Class 2022 who were then received by the graduating class of 2018, the reception day marked the end of their civilian lives and the start of their commitment towards becoming a better version of themselves. They were then put under probation for almost 50 days to assess if they all got what it takes to become a MAAP cadet and to introduce them in a semi-regimental training where their courage, perseverance, and strong desire to be a part of the academy will be put into a test.

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              Moreover, this year’s batch of young and audacious applicants is composed of thirteen courageous female herd among the bunch of fledgling lads who accepted the challenge of transforming themselves into a more disciplined and uncivilized people. Sweet they were seemed to be, but don’t get deceive by this no ordinary women. The moment they stepped their feet off the grounds of the academy was also the moment they forgot their womanly or feminine-like attitude they have lived to when they were still outside the fence of the academy.  Naive to what life awaits them inside the academy, the new set of valiant applicants of class 2022  whole-heartedly embraced the 50-day challenge that shaped and honed them as better sons and daughters not just of their parents but also by this country. To what they know, this will not falter nor will weaken their desire to be inside the academy.

 

Indoctrination/ Orientation Period

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              The IOP phase for the probationary midshipmen and women of Class 2022 imbued them with desirable character and attitude by means of training them in the most inconvenient way and environment having an atmosphere of rules, regulated lifestyles, and strict adherence to the Honor Code and the Honor System.

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              On the first week of their stay inside the academy being probationary midshipmen and women, some of them were already skeptical if they have chosen the right thing for them or they have just put their lives under someone else’s control. However, for the rest, they’d just found a way to at least lessen their sadness and homesickness by spending some quality time and having a good laugh with their fellow applicants. Unbearable it seemed to be, the probationary midshipmen and women of class 2022 defied the meaning of the word give-up amidst such difficulties and struggles during their stay inside the academy. For them, the door to opportunity swings on the hinges of adversity. Problems are the price of progress and having introduced to a semi-regimental training is an opportunity given to them to grow as individuals of their own having such discipline to restrain themselves from the things they shouldn’t do and to compel orders they are ought to follow.

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              Consequently, knowing that they came from the different corners of the whole Philippine archipelago, it was a puzzling start for them to socialize or even make an interaction with others. But as days passed by, they were able to know, accept, and tolerate each other’s cultures, personalities, and differences. They became open to one another and found themselves unconscious even their “man” is dangling around the bushes of their forest when they are taking a bath. It’s a gesture that shows that for a short span of time being together, they were able to get along and live comfortably with each other.

 

FROLICS

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            On their Frolics, probationary midshipmen/women of class 2022 showcased their talents in front of the midshipman fleet of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific. Whether on dancing, singing, acting, playing of instruments and even hilarious magic act, the class 2022 confidently paved their banners in front of hundreds of people just to prove them that they were not just academically competitive but talented individuals as well. Moreover, the presentation that they have had during their frolic’s night was some sort of an introduction of what kind of class they really are. Well, one thing’s for sure, although deprived of the materials for the show, the class 2022 made an incredible performance that even the formidable President himself VADM Eduardo Ma. R. Santos (AFP) Ret., was astonished and made him stood from where he was rooted.   

 

Incorporation

           

              After almost 50 days of hardships under semi-regimental training and battling personal adversities inside the academy, probationary midshipmen/women of class 2022 eventually came to the finale of their Indoctrination/Orientation Period as they were incorporated to the midshipman fleet of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific. It was a momentous occasion that marked a new challenge for them. This also commemorates the triumph of Class 2022 over laborious training that appraised them if they were worthy enough to be called as MAAP cadets.  

 

Convocation

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              Having been branded as the “Most Intelligent batch” that MAAP has ever had and considered as the Solomons of the present-day generation, it didn’t give any reason for the Class of 2022 to boast or brag anything because they were still in the process of learning the lifestyle and demeanor as MAAP cadets. Instead, they became more modest and they assured that their feet were rooted on the ground as what they were always taught of.

 

              The convocation highlights the start of the academic year of Class 2022 as fourth-class midshipmen/women. On their first month of stay inside the academy, everything seemed to be in the right place or flowing smoothly. They were given a month-long leeway for them to adjust to their new environment and to get used to with their new home.  But as days had passed, the scrutinizing eyes of upperclassmen became stringent and penetrating than before that even the slightest mistake they had made were able to be noticed by them.

 

              It was also this time when the constancy of class 2022 were put into a test. This was the stint when most of the midshipmen/women under the course of BS Marine Engineering fell short when it came to their academics - Thermodynamics and Mechanics to name a few. According to 4cl Guadines, Academic Officer for West Campus, the reason why there was an overwhelming number of deficient and failing 4cl midshipmen and women was that of change in routine of study. He did mention that, since class 2022 had a long-span of High School outside, they were attached or get used to their civilian lives.  However, despite the alarming incident, the Class of 2022 proved once again in this circumstance that they were united and connected as one. For them, there is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being - to help someone succeed. For the true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit. And this philosophy of them made them very distinct from the previous classes that MAAP has ever had.

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              Additionally, this was also the time of countless team building activities given to Class 2022 for their accumulated endorsements. Little did most of us know, this team building literally built connections amongst them as a class. It shaped and honed them as individuals who knew how to sympathize and exhibit camaraderie and humanity to their fellow classmates.

 

Recognition Day

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              After subjected to constant corrections from their upperclassmen for infractions of plebe customs such us neck-breaking head-ups and chin-ins up to the endorsements hoarded since the very start of the Indoctrination/Orientation Period, the DRACARHEAS Class of 2022 has come to the indelible point of their lives inside the academy as they were recognized by their upperclassmen. This special day is the culmination of the rigid discipline they endured throughout their 10-month stay inside the academy. Having been treated as the lowest class in the hierarchy of midshipman fleet, they were always deprived to certain privileges that they have to work for day by day. The recognition of class 2022 entails acceptance of upperclassmen as they recognized them to the level of a true cadet in terms of demeanor, maturity, and other attributes as future Maritime Officers onboard ship. The ultimate act of acceptance from their upperclassmen which is handshake will always be something meaningful to them.

           

               Furthermore, these recognized cadets can now, among other aspects of their status attained, grow more hair to groom from near skin shave; will no longer have to pass thru the farthest route by trotting; speak to their senior cadets in a controversial manner and not by replying on top of their lungs; and are expected to excel in everything—including extra-curricular and academics— now that all their restrictions were lifted. Recognition day will always be remarkable for the DRACARHEAS class of 2022 as this eventful day commemorates that amidst the loathsome and exhausting training they have had inside the academy, they were able to make through it—literally no matter how stiff and narrow the way is, they simply marched-off and headed toward their dreams.