JAVIER, Leyte — Despite inclement weather and a compressed preparation schedule, the East Visayan Adventist Academy Ant Fortress Pathfinder Club in Javier, Leyte, successfully completed its annual tactical inspection Feb. 16.
The event, held on the academy campus, served as a rigorous evaluation of the club’s mastery of drills, discipline, and outdoor skills.
High-stakes evaluation
A team from the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC), led by Master Guide Von John Sanchez, ECPUC youth and health ministries director, and Master Guide Ana Liza Facon, ECPUC education and Adventist Possibility Ministries, served as the official evaluators.
Joining them were Masterguide Noreen Rhea Sumalpong, communication and education director of the Samar Mission, along with Master Guides Nijel Galve, education and Adventist Possibility director of Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission (NSM); and Leve Hermosa, youth and health ministries director for the NSM.
Youth ministries and education directors from other missions and conferences across ECPUC also joined as the inspection team.
The team evaluated the Pathfinders on several key metrics, including drill precision, as measured by mastery of formations during the parade ceremony. Adjudicators also assessed technical skills, specifically the speed and accuracy of knot-tying and lashing used to construct a monkey bridge and a tower. Furthermore, the evaluation focused on discipline, measuring the students’ adherence to the core values and attitudes of the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfindering movement.
Overcoming challenges
The club’s success followed significant obstacles. Consistent rainfall in Leyte and mandated class interruptions had shortened the allotted training window to only a few weeks.
“The lessened practice days were not licenses to fail,” said Master Guide Melody I. Abantao. “Failing was never an option.”
During the inspection, Pathfinders performed on muddy terrain and under overcast skies, executing a march through Hechanova Drive and a fancy drill routine.
Results and commendations
The evaluators offered commendations for the club’s performance, specifically praising the drum corps’ cadence and the efficiency of the skills teams. Outstanding Pathfinders were awarded badges in recognition of their excellence.
Reflecting on the milestone, club leadership emphasized that the event was a testament to students’ dedication and their parents’ support.
“The Ant Fortress tactical inspection was more than an evaluation event,” the club stated in a release. “It was a testament that hard work, dedication, persistence, and strong leadership pay off,” Abantao added.
With the inspection concluded, the EVAA Ant Fortress continues to uphold its commitment to the Pathfinder motto of being “a servant of God and a friend to every man.”
Lyn Lucero ⎸ ECPUC Communication Department
The original version of this article was written by Melodie Abantao.