On April 1, 1973, the members of the PMA Class 1977 were sworn in as as cadets of Philippine Military Academy. Hopeful and expectant, the 182-strong class is a product of rigid competitive examinations conducted nationwide in December 1972. The class can boast of having selected from the widest field of applicants. There were 8,662 applicants, the biggest number so far in the history of the Academy. Of this number, 8,016 were issued examination permits and 5,812 reported to the different examination centers on the first day of examination; 5,001 actually completed the entrance examinations but only 533 passed. Of this number, 182 passed the physical examination and from among them only 173 were finally chosen to compose the Class of 1977 together with 8 cadet turnbacks from Class 1976 and one foreign cadet from Singapore. This is the biggest class ever to enter the Academy.

February 18, 1977 - four years later - 125 young men bid their farewell to the Academy and the Cadet Corps - ready to face the challenges of the real world. They will be commissioned the same day as new 2nd Lieutenants and Ensigns of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.