Kalinga Pilot Tops Military Pilot Training Class of 2020
2LT Leonardo G Visaya, Jr. PAF, PAFOCS Class 2017, of Pinukpuk, Kalinga has graduated from the Philippine Air Force Flying School (PAFFS) and received this year’s Commanding General’s Medal Award for obtaining the highest overall rating in the conduct of Military Pilot Training Class 2020.
On November 9, 2020 (Monday), the Graduation Ceremony of the Military Pilot Training Class of 2020 was conducted at AETDC, Fernando Air Base, Lipa City.
Through a Facebook post, 2LT Visaya has revealed that he was a former high school Math Teacher in Tabuk City National High School and he has stated it never came to him the idea of leaving his teaching profession for the life of soldiery. In 2016, he was encouraged by his batchmate to enter the uniformed service through the Officer Candidate Course in the Philippine Air Force.
“I was a high school Math teacher before my unplanned entry to the military service. A good math teacher loved by his students. Hehe. And in all honesty it never came to me the idea of leaving my beloved profession for the life of soldiery. Never. Not once.
But change is inevitable and it has come. It was 2016. We attended the graduation of our high school batch mate in the Philippine National Police Academy – our batchmate was Top 3 of his class. When we had the time to exchange conversation, he encouraged me to enter the uniformed service through the Officer Candidate Course in the Philippine Air Force. First, I did not consider it because I was already in a stable job as a public school teacher in Tabuk City National High School. Yet when we went back to Kalinga I made a turnaround decision, accepted the challenge and took the qualifying test as a walk-in examinee at TOG 2, Cauayan City. Well, I am thrilled in the idea of taking examinations……”-2LT Visaya statement on Facebook
In addition, 2LT Visaya also graduated as Class Number 1 from the Philippine Air Force Officer School (PAFOCS) on November 10, 2017.
“On the 10th of November 2017 and after 15 months of training, I graduated from the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School (PAFOCS) as the Class Number 1.”-2LT Visaya statement on Facebook
2LT Visaya also has added that his military journey is an unexpected turn of events. From a public teacher turned military pilot and 2020’s Military Pilot Training Class Topnotcher.
“And on this day, the 9th of November 2020, just a day before celebrating my third year as an officer in the Philippine Air Force, I am adding another achievement which is not my own but among the many plans God had prepared for me. Graduating as military pilot was already enough yet God put a twist and He made me the Class Number 1…….”
My military journey is an unexpected turn of events, unplanned and not in the schedule. I never dreamed to be a soldier, moreso to become a military pilot. However, God really works in mysterious ways and it was His ultimate plan to transform the simple Math Teacher into a Military Aviator.”-2LT Visaya statement on Facebook
Photo courtesy: 2LT Leonardo G. Visaya Facebook
Military Pilot Training Class of 2020 Awardees
Special awards were also given to the following:
1LT Shariff B Sarikin PAF
- AETDC Commander’s Medal Award (For Obtaining The 2nd Highest Over-all Rating In The Conduct Of Military Pilot Training Class 2020)
2LT Ghea C De Mesa PAF
- AETDC Deputy Commander’s Medal Award (For Obtaining The 3rd Highest Over-all Rating In The Conduct Of Military Pilot Training Class 2020)
1LT James Benneth S Estoesta PAF
- Mcmicking Award (For Obtaining The Highest Rating In All Phases Of Flying In The Conduct Of Military Pilot Training Class 2020)
2LT Nezal Marie A Abellon PAF
- Vicente Rivera Award (For Obtaining Highest Over-all Rating In Instrument Flying In The Conduct Of Military Pilot Training Class 2020)
2LT Robert John G Callanta PAF
- PAFFS Commandant’s Medal (For Obtaining The Highest Over-all Rating In Academic Phase Of The Conduct Of Military Pilot Class 2020)
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