After their hurried evacuation from Teacher’s Camp, the PMA Class of 1942, along with other cadets, officers and all enlisted personnel, safely made it down to Manila. In the early dawn of December 13th, 1941, they arrived at Camp Balara, a camp situated in between the Diliman Creek and Marikina Road and two kilometers north of Camp Murphy, the present-day Camp Aguinaldo.
Upon their arrival, the PMA contingent pitched up tents, established perimeter defenses, dug foxholes and positioned four Caliber .30 Browning Machine Guns on mounts that would serve as their anti-aircraft weapons. All cadets were handed ammunitions and extra bandoliers for their Springfield caliber .30 rifle. It was a busy morning, as they prepared for another surprise attack from the Japanese.
However, the surprise that day did not come from a Japanese attack, but by the visit of President Manuel L. Quezon who was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Major General Basilio J. Valdes. The surprise visit to Camp Balara boosted the morale of the cadets led by Class ‘42 and of the troops, a much needed one after their chaotic exit from Teacher’s Camp. Unfortunately, that day would be their last glimpse of the Philippine president.
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