FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines — Ensign Jaywardene Hontoria, who graduated at the top of his batch at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), was given a house and lot and married his college sweetheart yesterday.
He also brought home the Philippine Navy Saber Award, Chief of Staff Saber, Academic Group Award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, Spanish Armed Forces Award, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Department of Leadership Plaques and the Joint US Military Assistance Group Award.
After all the honors were bestowed on Hontoria, a registered nurse, he was presented a certificate of ownership of a house and lot by President Duterte from Camella Savannah in Iloilo City, where he shall build a home with his wife, registered nurse Loura Fe Dillera.
This was the first time that the PMA class valedictorian was given such a gift.
Vista Land Homes and Lifescapes, which gave Hontoria his graduation and wedding gift, is owned by former senator Manuel Villar’s development company.
Hontoria made history as the third “baron” or class brigade commander of the PMA Cadet Corps in the history of the academy to graduate as valedictorian. The last time a class had a baron at the top of the class was 67 years ago.