PMA to hold 'hybrid' alumni homecoming on Feb. 12-13

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will have its annual alumni homecoming this year but will use a "hybrid concept" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the hybrid concept, only 30% physical attendance will be allowed, according to Major Cherryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson, on Tuesday.

"With the HYBRID concept in place, this year's homecoming will again be different from the traditional conduct of the event where only a few alumni and the awardees will be physically present for a  limited face to face interaction, while other alumni will participate via Zoom Video Teleconferencing," Tindog said.

The event — to be held on February 12 to 13 at the Academy's Grandstand in Fort Gregorio del Pilar, Baguio City — has the permission from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), Tindog said.

Baguio City is under general community quarantine (GCQ)

According to Tindog, only 90 alumni and awardees have so far signified to attend the activities, "which is far less than the authorized number of attendees."

"All attendees will also secure medical certificate with negative  RT-PCR result and Travel Authority from local Police," she added.

The Annual General Membership Assembly will be held on February 12 with Senate President Vicente Sotto III as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

The awarding ceremony will be held the following day, with Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

This year's homecoming is inspired by the theme, "Passing on a Brighter Torch to our Successors."

"The Academy is doing its very best to ensure that the inspiration of the alumni to the Cadet Corps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PMA community as a whole shall be deeply ingrained through this traditional activity, while still adhering with all necessary safety and health protocols during the entire conduct of the event," Tindog said. —KBK, GMA News