By ENS. CECIL KIM A. PESTANO, PN
When I entered the cadet corps of our country's military academy, it was nobody's guess that I was going to be spending the next half decade in the Republic of Korea Naval Academy as a foreign service exchange student. After all, 'cultural exchange' isn't the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of the military. And so together with two of my classmates who were to join the Army and Air Force, we were sent to our respective academies. By the end of our fourth year, I graduated with a double degree in Military Strategy and in Oceanography, the latter being an elective course.
Looking back, I'm inclined to agree with the notion that the stay of any exchange student is always in some way diplomatic-in my case, a privilege to witness firsthand how defense relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea have evolved to become stronger than it has ever been. Efforts to build upon this association are seen in the organi-zation of courses promoting professional and career advancement for the Officers of our Armed Forces, as well as the recent acquisition of Frigates from the Hyundai Heavy Industries that comprise our Navy's most modern and capable warships to date. Furthermore, the future of these relations appears promising, with plans for the continuation of exchange programs and procurement of assets.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be one link in a much greater chain that binds the friendship of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, and look forward to serving our Navy equipped with the knowledge and insight gained these past few years. While my military education is relatively unconventional, I believe that enriching our leaming to lands beyond our borders will ultimately further the growth of our country's forces-military and otherwise.
About the author: Ens. Pestaรฑo is a member of the PMA CL 2019 graduated in Republic of Korea Naval Academy Batch 2021
Published in Manila Bulletin April 23, 2021 issue page 3
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