By J. Irving General Sobejana and Distinguished members of the AFP Awards and Decorations Board — May it be in your sins of omission that you made a terrible mistake for denying a true hero. In every generation, there rise men who stand against overwhelming odds—heroes who face their giants not for glory, but for the […]
By J. Irving Gaya yun time na mapapasabi ka sa sarili mo, “Mistah ko yan!” every time you watch the 4am weekday news at DZRH. hehe A Tribute to Golden Plebes of 1976 As we prepare to reminisce and celebrate for being the Golden Plebos next year, on 01 April 2026, it is only fitting […]
By J. Irving The jeep’s headlights remained unlit, as the vehicle cutting through the thick tropical silhouettes, starting to get dark, bouncing along the dirt road, winding through coconut groves and dense underbrush on the outskirts of Jolo town, towards Tandiong Beach, the the home of the returning soldiers – at the 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion, deep […]
By J. Irving ft. Generative Pre-trained Transformers Good day everyone. When we think of writing, many of us remember classrooms—pens, notebooks, essays, and exams. We may even think of writing as a requirement, something we had to do, rather than something we wanted to do. But writing is more than an academic exercise. It is […]
By J. Irving September 8, 1956 – July 28, 2025 I was in shock, realizing that Sir Vic is no longer around. I still wish to see him and talk many things that we are now both retired; but our path never crossed … for there are certain topics that are best avoided while still […]
“It’s better to be kind than to be right.” Gautama Buddha By J. Irving Tactical Officers, better known as Tac-O, in the Philippine Military Academy are like the drill masters of the Marines, but without constant shouting. They have sharp eyes to look for offences. Report those defects, under the name of discipline. But there […]
Psalm 90:10 , states: “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty“. By J. Irving ft. Generative Pre-trained Transformers It’s important to understand this as a reflection … Lord, if You are giving me ten more years, I want to spend them well. At 69, I feel both grateful […]
By J. Irving During my schooling in the US, there was a Filipino expat who was very proud to become an American citizen and bragging about the modern advancement of his adopted country – compared to the Philippines which is way back in time. My classmate got pissed off and told our acquaintance, “No, you […]
By J. Irving with pbmza9891 In a Viber group I’m part of, members uphold the “Vow of Omerta” – what’s seen and heard stays there. However, one discussion warrants clarification to correct a misimpression that has since spilled onto Facebook. A member expressed disappointment in Secretary Ed Año (PMA Matikas Class of 1983), accusing him […]
By Cav Domingo C Carbonell Jr ‘80 “Not the triumph but the struggle” …this phrase was the dedication of Jose “Jun” Ramos Briones, Jr., above is his picture in our class year book “The Sword 1980 ” . I think it clearly describes what he had gone thru during our cadet days which metamorphosized him […]
Cyber Arnis 