Black Saturday also know as Holy Saturday is the day after Good Friday and before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the day that Jesus' body lay in the tomb and the Harrowing of Hell. Meanwhile, in the Military, Black Saturday is referred to as the initiation of cadets undergoing phsyical, mental and leadership training.

This is a picture taken last 2003 during our Cadet Officer Candidacy Course. I am in 3rd yr High School at that time. Can you find me in the picture?

I can still remember the past happenings. I joined the CAT-1 Training because I was inspired by my seniors. As I watch them march with rifles on their shoulders, giving military commands and doing battalion-sized formations, I feel like I wanted to do it as well. I want to experience how it felt like to be in that formation, giving orders, marching and doing drills as well. I am vying for the position of Battalion Staff S-1 Adjutant.

I have experienced too many hardships. That is a common thing because it is a test of strength, endurance, intelligence, unity and leadership. Every Saturday at 6 o'clock in the morning, we started the training by jogging around Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City, followed by 12 Military Exercises. At 8am, breakfast is now served, military style. In 5 minutes, we have to consume a cup of rice, scrambled eggs, slices of tomatoes and a whole piece of tuyo. Every move we made is in sync with counts, as for a military personnel, we need to be snappy of our actions.

'Sa! 'Wa! 'Lo! 'Pat! 'Ma! 'Nim! 'To! 'Lo! 'Yam! 'Pu! 'Sa! 'Wa! 'Lo! 'Pat! 'Ma! 'Nim! 'To! 'Lo! 'Yam! "Dalawampu! Huling bilang na po pinuno!" was always my line because I was asigned as the 2nd squad leader. The squad leader is chosen by height, since I am the tallest among the back-liners. Every detail on the presentees and absentees is reported by the squad leader. "Pinuno, ikalawang tilap nakahanay na po. Wala pong liban napag-alamaaaaa~aan"

My memory was not that sharp though, but I still can recall the Military Prayers that we recite. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I have remembered, here it goes...

Loyalty Pledge

If you work for a man in heaven’s name, work for him, speak well of him and stand by the institution he represents. Remember, an ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness. If you must growl, condemn or eternally find fault why resign your position and when you are on the outside, damn to your heart’s content. But as long as you are part of this institution, do not condemn it. For if you do, the first high wind that comes along will blow you away and probably you will never know why.

Military Courtesy

Courtesy is the expression or manifestation of consideration for others. It is a virtue that is expected from all individuals from all walks of life. In the Armed Forces, courtesy is a great requirement because it is the base upon which discipline stands. Without courtesy and respect among the members of the organization, there would be no discipline; and when discipline disappears, the organization will lose its orderliness and later disintegrate. Furthermore, courtesy promotes good relationships, closer coordination and teamwork among members of the organization. It makes the organization dignified and ensures good relations with the public.

Military Discipline

Discipline is the mental attitude and state of training that renders obedience and proper conduct instinctive under all conditions. It is founded upon respect for and loyalty to properly constituted authorities. It is generally indicated in an individual or a unit by the smartness of appearance and action, cleanliness of dress, equipment and quarters. And by the prompt and cheerful obedience by the subordinates of both the latter and spirit of the legal orders of their lawful superiors.

Military Professionalism

Men who adopt the profession of arms submit their own free will to a law of perpetual constraint. Of their own accord, they reject their right to live where they choose, to say what they think, to dress as they like. It needs but an order to settle them to this place, to separate them from their family, and dislocate their normal lives. In a world of command, they must rise, march, run, endure bad weather, go without eat or sleep, be isolated in some distant posts and work until they drop. They have ceased to be the masters of their fate. If they drop in their tracks, their ashes are scattered to the four winds. That is all part and parcel of their job.

Code of Conduct of a Filipino Soldier

I AM A FILIPINO SOLDIER. I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

I AM A FILIPINO SOLDIER. I WILL FIGHT ALL FORCES THAT WOULD DESTROY THE FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.

I AM A FILIPINO SOLDIER. I WILL OBEY ALL LAWS, LEGAL ORDERS AND DECREES OF MY LAWFUL SUPERIORS AT ALL TIMES.

I AM A FILIPINO SOLDIER. I WILL UPHOLD THE SUPREMACY OF CIVILIAN AUTHORITY OVER THE MILITARY IN WAR OR IN PEACE.

I AM A FILIPINO SOLDIER. I WILL LIVE AND DIE IN TRUE FILIPINO TRADITION OF VALOR AND HONOR, DUTY AND LOYALTY.

TO ALL THESE; I PLEDGE MY LIFE, MY TREASURE AND MY SACRED HONOR.

Aside from the lengthy verses that we need to memorize, we also need to know the General Orders, Unity, Don't Quit, What Time Is It?, Desiderata, C.O.'s Song, Secrecy, Honor Code, Military Alphabet and so many that I could no longer recall.

Engaging in extra curricular activities in school taught me to be more independent and sociable. The CAT-1 Training developed my leadership skills and mold me to become a better person. I may not be physically strong nor having immense amount of stamina but then I have endured the said course. Black Saturdays made my weekend painful but worthwhile. I have sacrificed too many Saturdays just to finish this rigorous training and instill discipline within me. But the amount of sacrifice I experienced will never equal the sufferings of our savior Jesus Christ. For he died in the cross for our salvation. Such great amount of love can never be measured.

As I have finished the training and graduated with full ranks, I can now prove to myself that I withstood the test and trial of my character. With close fists, eyes with tiger-look, chin up... At the top of my lungs, loud and clear, I will proudly shout...