Fame Rose Pinuela: The face of discipline and endurance
The female specie is known for its weak and helpless image as depicted on the fairytales and stories that we used to read and watch. As the earth revolves on its axis at the average of 18.5 miles per second, this kind of perception slowly fades away. With the advent of new feminine heroes and lady presidents, the image of women has gradually changed.
On the recently held ROTC Regional Summer Camp Training Class 2006 at Camp Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo, a descendant of eve proved that despite her frail image she can compete and even rise above the rather strong males. The brave and strong-willed 19-year-old cadet was declared to be on the top of the 225 participants from all over Panay, 73 of which were females. Garnering the total grade of 92.75%, Cadet Fame Rose Pinuela brought unmeasurable pride and honor to the University of Iloilo (UI) and to her parents -- Mrs. Elma Saing-Pinuela and Mr. Antonio Pinuela.
Contrary to what people may perceive her to be, Fame Rose is devoid of any trace of fierceness and fear. She looks like an ordinary teen who giggles and laughs on unadulterated jokes. Unlike most 19-year-olds though, Fame has the determination and the focus that most people of her age lack.
Fame Rose Pinuela with (4th from left) with other
University of Iloilo ROTC officers.
Her passion with drills and other military-related things can be dated back during her high school years at the Zarraga National High School where she served as the CAT Batallion S2.
After graduating from high school, Fame decided to take up Bachelor of Science in Criminology at the Unversity of Iloilo. Prior to the Regional Camp, she had several achievements from high school and early college life. "But this is the biggest recognition I have ever received so far," states Fame.
Before the Camp started, University of Iloilo chose ten (10) officers to represent their school. Three of which were girls and Fame was one of them. She was the only female second classman who represented their school.
The 20-day training, which commenced on May 1 and culminated last May 20 of this year, was composed of a series of military lectures done in the morning and exhausting drills coupled with physical tests in the afternoon. From time to time, the participants were given written and practical exams on which the scoring and the grading were based.
"My favorite was the Manual of Arms. The scores were not posted so we were not aware of the results. We were informed that one of us will be receiving a recognition for gaining high scores during the entire Summer Camp at the end of the training. I never expected anything. I was surprised when my name was called!", narrates Fame Rose.
But how can an Eve outwit the likes of Hercules? Fame's secret formula for success, which she later on revealed, was composed of five essential components -- a firm principle in life, a handful of discipline, utmost patience, unfading loyalty and unquestioning faith. She stressed that in the world, where she would soon be a part of, discipline and word-of-honor are very important. Physically, Fame prepared herself for the training by following a routine which includes jogging and other forms of exercises weeks before. She also owes her success to their Group Commander Col. Nemio Valerio CSC (INF) PA, 604th Commanding Officer (LO) and UI ROTC Unit Commandant Lt. Col. Romeo Ucag, Operations & Training Officer Msg Florante Geruldo (Res) PA and to all officers and buddies who supported her.
As early as now, Fame introduces and injects to her fellow Criminology students her incridible sense of self-discipline. As an ROTC officer, Fame considers herself as a strict one but immediately remarked "my being strict is sort of teaching them to become disciplined individuals."
Fame looks up to their Assistant Unit Commandant Alfredo Tayo III. "He is simple and kind-hearted man with a fixed principle in life. He knows how to look back from where he started."
Aside from being an excellent student, Fame Rose is also a loving daughter. She proudly admitted that she is very open with her parents and that she helps her mother on household chores despite her busy schedule. Though at times Fame spends her Saturdays and Sundays inside the UI campus for ROTC and practice, she never used such as an excuse to miss the Holy mass. Sometimes when she gets home from school early, she would drop by the Cathedral to pray before she takes a long ride home to Barangay Talibong in Zarraga.
Fame is indeed a simple yet determined lady with a simple dream and an accommodating heart.
"My only dream is to finish school and to have a decent and stable job so that I can help my family. With that, I can be a responsible daughter, " relates the teary-eyed criminology student.
University of Iloilo's pride, Fame Rose Pinuela, is a promising soon-to-be woman-in-uniform. For that, we salute you!