Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos

Story & Photos By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga

One hundred, forty-eight pioneering Thomasian cadets of the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) have officially graduated today, May 30, 2023. This is the first batch of Thomasian ROTC cadets.

Maj. Rene P. Piabol, Jr., commandant of the 525^th Department of Air Science and Tactics (DAST) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) declared the trainees as graduates.

SSg. Jouie A. Pepito, the NCOIC of the 525^th DAST, led the presentation of graduates and the awarding of Certificate Recognition to four Thomasian flight leaders namely: Lournie Ian Villaros (Alpha), Romel Sayson (Bravo), James Cadorna (Charlie) and Philippe Lloyd Largo (Delta).

“The role of the youth, especially Thomasian cadets in nation building” was the central theme of the inspiration message of Rev. Fr. Cristopher C. Maspara, OAR.

Fr. Maspara, being the President and NSTP Director of Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos, challenged the graduates to live out the training given to them through ROTC.

Kiepner S. Tampon, battalion commander, led the Thomasian cadets and he is set to undergo further training with the PAF at Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu with nine other Thomasian cadets.

Today’s ROTC graduation marked a milestone as the first of its kind for CST-R’s College Department. It was also an apt commencement for the eight months of rigid military training that began last September 3, 2022.

**The Pioneers.** A total of 148 Thomasians graduated from their ROTC training. This is the first ROTC Graduation in CST-R.

**NSTP Director.** Rev. Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR challenges Thomasian cadets.

**Entrance of Colors.** The Thomasian Cadets during the entrance of colors which usually marks the beginning of a program. Kiepner S. Tampos (right most), battalion commander, leads the Thomasian cadet-officers.

**Salute!** Flight leader James Cadorna receives his Certificate of Recognition. He also receives the snappy salute and applause of Charlie Platoon.

**Thomasian Cadet Officers.** The pioneering batch of CST-R ROTC Cadet Officers. Ten of them will be undergoing training with the Philippine Airforce in Mactan-Benito Ebuen Airbase in Lapu-Lapu City.

**“Guardians of our Precious Skies, Bearers of Hope.”** Cadet Officers receive their certificates from the 525th Department of Air Science and Tactics of the Philippine Air Force.

**At the President’s Office.** PAF’s 525th DAST strengthen collaboration with CST-R during a brief meeting with Rev. Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR, CST-R President and NSTP Director. In the photo are (L-R) Msg. Isaias O. Dela Paz, CST-R NSTP Coordinator; Maj. Rene Piabol, Jr., 525th DAST Commandant; Fr. Maspara, Ssg. Jouie A. Pepito, NCOIC; and, Sg. Anacleto Velasco.

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Pioneering Thomasian Cadets Graduate from ROTC Training Course