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Almost didn’t make it - Manalo

June 17, 2008

By Bing C. Branigin
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland -Filipina American Midshipman Geraldine Favor Manalo, jumps with joy as she joins her co-graduates at the Unites States Naval Academy (USNA), in Annapolis, Maryland, in tossing their hats into the air after the
graduation ceremonies held last May 23. Ger, as her friends calls her, almost did not make it to graduation due to a freak accident when she fell out of her bed in the middle of the night and broke her skull. She was in coma for three-weeks and was confined in the hospital for one month. It took her another three months for rehabilitation as an out-patient.
She told this reporter that she never thought of quitting the academy
but thought of dropping a few classes and had to change her major. Even
though test shows that she doesn’t have any brain injuries, she has to
change her major from naval aviation pilot to electrical engineering.
She missed a whole semester of classes and caught up with the rest of
her class through hard work, sleepless nights, and unbeatable pain. She
said, “that there were times when I couldn’t take it anymore”. She
added, “the support I received from USNA, family, friends, and
classmates, made me work harder to get back on track. I am truly
grateful for all the support”.
According to Geraldine, she joined the academy not only to become a
naval officer but also to get an education and opportunity to shape her
life. She plans to join the US Naval warship, USS Mason.
Geraldine and her friends from the academy are in Boracay Beach resort
for three weeks. “Long awaited vacation in paradise”, she told the
Manila Mail.
There are over a thousand midshipmen in the class of 2008 that includes
two Filipinos : Carl Catalan of Dumaguete City and John Berjuega of
Catanduanes. There were among the sixteen foreign students that
graduated this year.
Geraldine is active member of the Filipino American Club of USNA.
Her inspiration are her family, Mother Theresa, and Mariah Carey.
According to her friends, she is a good singer and was active with the
USNA singing club.
She calls Manasas, Virginia as her home. She is the 2nd child, a sister
two years older, and a brother who is three years younger.

First Filipina to graduate from the United States Military Academy
(USMA), West Point, New York is Christy Isis Aseneta Achanzar (3rd from
left), from Davao, Philippines. Family and friends flew in from the Philippines to be with her during her graduation at the prestigious military school. With her in the photo immediately from her left is her mother Asuncion, a housewife and an apostolate leader in her church, to her right is her father Ermine, a
Department of of Environment and Natural resources (DENR), employee in
Davao. Lt. Christy Isis Aseneta Achanzar is also one of the top graduates of
the 2008 USMA graduates.

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