Three Filipinos shine in West Point
Three pinoys raised the Philippine flag at West Point, one of the most celebrated military academy's in the world.
Carl de Leon Liwa-nag, graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA). Mario Feliciano, took command of the corps' Cadet Field Training Regiment - a first for a Filipino. Christy Isis Achanzar also moved a step closer to becoming the first Filipina to graduate from the prestigious academy.
In addition, seven Filipino-Americans received their commissions as second lieutenants in the US Army - including Erin Grace Begonia, James Peralta and Bryan Olay.
Liwanag was one of 46 international cadets from 27 countries - and the only from the Philippines --to join "the long gray line," a reference to the color of the uniform the cadets wear.
Class 2008 will have two graduates from the Philippines — Feliciano, who was born in Iran and raised in Kuwait by a Filipino father and an Iranian mother, and Achanzar.
Liwanag is the latest in a line of nearly 80 Filipinos to graduate from West Point since Gen. Vicente P. Lim, who went on to become a World War II hero, received his commission in 1914.
If all goes well 2008 could be a brighter year for the Philippines at West Point on the west bank of the Hudson river, 50 miles from New York.
Achanzar is set to be the first Filipina graduate and Feliciano has a shot at being the first international cadet named First Captain and Brigade Commander at USMA.
Achanzar, a 24-year-old native of Davao City, said that while she was honored, she was also rather tired of being singled out by the press as a "special person" and would want nothing better than to be an ordinary cadet.
But, if her being the first Filipina to graduate from West Point inspires other women to follow in her footsteps, then so be it, she said.
The USMA at West Point officially opened in 1802, but it was only in 1975 that it began admitting female cadets.
Feliciano was born in Shiraz, Iran and raised in Kuwait and doesn't look like a Filipino. He has lived in the Philippines less than two years and doesn't speak the language well.
Although nearly 80 Filipinos have graduated from West Point, only a few have served in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) until their retirement.
These include the late Gen. Rafael Ileto (USMA '43) who became a defense secretary and national security advisor, Gen. Fidel Ramos (USMA '50) who was elected president of the Philippines and Gen. Narciso Abaya (USMA '71) who became chief of staff of the AFP.
Other West Pointers who remained in the military until their retirement include Brig. Gen. Florencio Magsino (USMA '51) former superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy and Maj. Gen. Thelmo Cunanan (USMA '61) who went on to become an ambassador.
