Two Cordillerans, a female and a female, are among the top 10 finishers for the Philippine Military Academy Masaligan (Mandirigmang Samahan na Lakas at Sandigan) Class of 2021 and who will receive their commission with the Armed Forces of the Philippines as junior officers on May 10.
La Trinidad, Benguet lass Valerie Mae Dicang placed third and the first among the 26 female cadets graduating. She is also graduating magna cum laude.
The 22 year old is a former Radiologic Technology student from the Saint Louis University.
Tabuk City, Kalinga lad, Michael Angelo Madriaga, will be finishing ninth in the class among the 164 graduates. Madriaga is a former Civil Engineering student from the Cagayan State University when he was called upon to undertake the four year PMA training and later serve flag and country.
This year’s top notcher who will graduate summa cum laude is San Enrique, Negros Occidental native Janrey Artus.
Malalag, Davao del Sur son Daryl Brix Colita will be the class salutatorian. The soon to be member of the Philippine Army branch of the AFP is 22 and will receive the vice presidential saber as well as the Philippine Army and Australian Defence sabers and the Army Professional plaque.
The rest of the top 10 include fourth ranked Jan Hernan Perez of Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa; Christine Joyce Andog of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija who will receive honors as cum laude; Oriqueta City, Misamis Occidental lad Feljoy Ending at sixth; Harold Mars Sastado of Batangas City and cum laude; Pamela Calleja of Malinao, Albay; and, Tacloban native Shirley Fatima Lim, who finishes cum laude.
Special awards recipients are: Jaevin Latugan of Tanudan, Kalinga and Lady Deane Sarmiento of San Fernando, Pampanga for athletic saber male and female, respectively; sports and development plaque for Joel Bacani of San Fernando, La Union; Aguinaldo saber for Kevin Babaran of Enrile, Cagayan; military justice for Mae Pearl Agustin of Malinao, Aklan; and, Annie Chen of Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija for journalism.
The graduating class, the second time with no parents and live only through Zoom due to the Covid-19 pandemic, include 138 males and 26 females, PMA said in a press release.
The soon to be graduates will have 82 joining the Philippine Army, 46 will be with the Philippine Navy and 36 will further be trained as Air Force personnel.
They will receive their 2nd lieutenant and ensign ranks during the commencement rites next Saturday, May 10.
Last year Jade Villanueva of Tacloban City led three females and six males in the top 10 class of PMA Masidlawin Class of 2020.
