Civilians, like most of us, are always awed whenever we get a chance to witness a Military Wedding where we see gentlemen in their spotless and creaseless White Duck getups instead of the usual barongs or suits. Add the fact that seeing crisscrossed sabers held high as the newlyweds pass through is something we thought we’d only see in royal weddings.

There had been a military wedding in the Rana’s side of our family when Monette, the eldest sister, married then 2nd Lieutenant Boyet Burgos (he’s a Lieutenant Colonel now). All this time, the ideal resource persons to tap for this specific subject matter is so close to home, and it’s a shame really that the idea dawned on us only recently. We could’ve thought about it nine years ago back when we were gathering materials while we were starting WeddingsAtWork.com. Glad that it finally struck us before our site’s 10th anniversary.

Here’s Monette Rana-Burgos, a soldier’s wife for 17 years, recounting her big day for us. Reading her account below would give us insights about some of the time-honored traditions in the Philippine Military Academy.

Kaydet Girl

Before I married Boyet, he confessed to me that it would be his second time to be wed simply because he was married first to his noble profession of arms when he took an oath and pledge to serve our country as a young lieutenant in the Philippine Army after graduating as a cadet in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1988.

We walked down the aisle exactly a year after he proposed marriage and three years after I became his “Kaydet Girl” (a term used by a PMA cadets referring to his significant others). As part of the tradition of being bestowed the title, he gave me, as his engagement ring, a miniature ring of his class bull ring, paired with a miniature pendant.

Before we got married, he started giving me indoctrination about certain customs and traditions in the military. It’s a little known fact that brides-to-be of officers in the Armed Forces are subjected to a thorough investigation by the AFP for national security. In the same way that Boyet had to apply for Permission to Marry from the highest military authority and that triggered the whole process of background check to the extent that some folks in my neighborhood were asked about my character and behavior.

The rites that we had in our military wedding are basically the same as any other wedding that I have attended. What only made ours distinct were the attire and a few traditional rites not found in civilian weddings. In my eyes, Boyet, my knight, donned the most shining White Duck uniform among the officers present during that momentous occasion in my life. Even our ring and coin bearers were wearing mini-White Ducks to go with the theme.

Arch of Sabers

As added part of our wedding entourage, we had sword bearing officers also dressed in their White Duck uniforms. They formed two lines facing each other near the altar and acted like guards as I made my way down the aisle where my groom eagerly awaited. They made a quiet exit as I reached the altar.

The gentlemen assigned this duty are known as the Sword Sponsors (minimum of five pairs). PMA cadets may also serve as sword sponsors after permission is granted from the Academy officials.

When the officiating priest gives the final blessing signaling the end of the ceremony, the marcher or the most senior of the sword bearing officers issues a quiet cue the others to proceed to the center aisle in pairs. They all stop at the command halt and automatically face the center. At the command “Kalis,” everybody draws their swords and raised them up with their right hand until it touched the tip of the saber directly opposite. They remained still as the bride and groom passes through for the recessional. But before the couple could be allowed to pass, each pair would lower their swords, detaining the newlyweds momentarily as the officers ask the groom “May I kiss the bride sir?” or “Kiss the bride sir.” As they say, this military rite of passing through the arch of swords is meant to ensure the couple’s safe journey and transition to their new lives together.

Some of the traditional military rites extend up to the wedding reception. For PMAers like my husband, the most cherished and endearing song dedicated to their girlfriends is called “My Kaydet Girl .” This is usually the closing number for all dances and hops (the Academy’s version of college parties). But for a military wedding, this is sung by the cavaliers (PMA alumni) themselves as the background music for the newlyweds’ first dance.

After the couple’s dance, it is also customary for the mistahs (PMA classmates) of the groom, and all other PMAers present at the reception including the Ninongs, to stand in line and wait for their turn to dance with the bride; each leaving her with a buzz on the cheek as a gesture of welcome and recognition.

Also part of the tradition in the wedding reception is to cut the wedding cake using a Saber.

Civilian wedding have been evolving through the years. It has undergone numerous transformations to suit the constantly changing perceptions and taste of the general public. Even with all the novelties applied in a civilian wedding, it can never be compared to the uniqueness of a military wedding with its rich customs and traditional rites that have remained unchanged through generations.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 6:56 am and
is filed under Prep Talk.