PMA breaks ground on Henry Sy Sr. Hall

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Monday broke ground on the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, a major new cadet facility backed by SM Prime Holdings Inc., marking a key step in the academy’s long-term expansion and modernization program.

The project forms part of PMA’s Growth Plan, which aims to expand the Cadet Corps to 2,000 by 2040 and strengthen its role as a premier defense education institution and future disaster response hub in Northern Luzon.

The two-story Henry Sy Sr. Hall will feature a multipurpose hall capable of accommodating up to 2,500 people for training activities, official functions and indoor sports.

The broader development includes a new mess hall and shared spaces designed to support the academy’s growing population. Completion is targeted for 2028.

Officials said shared facilities such as the mess hall are considered high-impact components of the expansion, stressing that leadership and character are shaped not only in classrooms and training grounds but also in daily routines and communal settings where cadets gather and interact.

Designed by JSLA Architects, the building incorporates features tailored to Baguio City’s climate and PMA’s long-term infrastructure needs.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held at the PMA grounds, underscored growing private-sector participation in strengthening institutions that train future national leaders.

“The future of the Philippines depends on strong leadership, and strong leadership is shaped by strong institutions. We believe the PMA is central to that effort,” said Hans T. Sy, chairman of the executive committee of SM Prime.

“By building the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, we hope to provide a facility that supports the Academy’s continued evolution. Because leadership is shaped not by ideals and tradition alone, but by its environment,” he added.

PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard N. Valencia PN said the ceremony symbolized “the start of a new era of collaboration” between the academy and the SM Group.

“Today’s ceremony goes beyond the tradition of breaking grounds. It symbolizes the start of a new era of collaboration built on our shared vision to serve our country and its people,” Valencia said.

He described the partnership as rooted in common values of optimism, excellence and service, noting that while the SM Group was founded by retail magnate Henry Sy Sr., it has come to represent “the Filipino spirit of optimism and determination amid challenges.”

“For more than a century, the PMA has stood as the crucible by which the next generation of military leaders are forged,” Valencia said. “As we break ground today, may we also reaffirm our dedication to nation building — through service, through cooperation, and through unwavering support for those who defend our country.”

Founded in 1905, the PMA has produced leaders serving in the armed forces, government and communities nationwide.

Officials said sustained investment in training facilities and communal spaces is essential as the academy’s responsibilities grow more complex.