A LIFE WELL-LIVED...

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES? or BLESSINGS-IN-DISGUISE? Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA)

I was having lunch with some of my boardmates when I was handed an envelop from home. In it was a telegram (RCPI) coming from the Registrar of the PMMA. It informed me that I passed the entrance examination I took months back, in December. The instructions were to report to Fort Bonifacio, in Metro Manila, on or before, I think it was June 6-?, 1972 (I was a freshman at CIT - Electrical Engineering), and I have to bring: White T-shirts (6 pieces); White shortpants (3 pieces); White underwears (6 pieces); White socks (3 pairs); White rubber shoes (a pair). My folks back home received the telegram two weeks after June 6th. They sent it to me the same day via a neighbor who happened to be going to Cebu City, so I got it the following day. Realizing that it was already late, I immediately communicated the situation to the Academy - no reponse. So, I asked my father if he could ask our Municipal Mayor to intervene on my behalf. The Mayor (Liberato T Bacayo) was so kind, he gladly did. Yet, to no avail.