Philippine Military Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia and SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman Hans T. Sy lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the Henry Sy Sr. Hall on February 9 at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. Photos courtesy of PMA Public Affairs.
BAGUIO CITY — The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. formally broke ground on Monday, February 9, for the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, a major new facility envisioned to support the Academy’s long-term expansion and modernization goals.
The ceremony, led by PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia and SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman Hans T. Sy, underscored the growing role of private-sector partnerships in strengthening institutions that develop the country’s future military leaders.
The project forms part of the Academy’s Growth Plan, which targets an increase in the Cadet Corps to 2,000 by 2040. The expansion will be supported by key infrastructure developments, including a new mess hall and multipurpose facilities designed to meet the operational and academic demands of a larger corps.
The Growth Plan aims not only to reinforce PMA’s standing as the country’s premier defense education institution, but also to position it as a potential hub for disaster response operations in Northern Luzon.
The Henry Sy Sr. Hall is designed as a two-story structure centered on a large multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 2,500 individuals. The space will host training activities, official functions, and indoor sporting events—providing cadets with a venue that supports both discipline and holistic development.
“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,” Sy said during the groundbreaking.
“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.|
Designed by JSLA Architects, the facility will incorporate features tailored to Baguio’s climate while aligning with PMA’s long-term infrastructure strategy. Construction is targeted for completion by 2028.
The project reflects SM Prime’s broader commitment to nation-building—supporting institutions that cultivate leadership, discipline, and service at the highest level.