Son of retired soldier tops PMA class of 2021

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A 25-year-old Negrense and son of a retired soldier topped the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 2021.

Janrey Artus from San Enrique, Negros Occidental leads the 164-member MASALIGAN (MAndirigmang SAmahan na Lakas at SandIGAN ng Bayan) Class of 2021 and will receive the Presidential Saber on May 10.

At a virtual “Kapihan sa PMA” yesterday at Longayban Hall at the premier military officer training institution, PMA Superintendent Air Force Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Cartujano, with other academy officials, named the top 10 graduates of the class comprised of 138 males and 26 females – 82 of whom are going to the Philippine Army, 46 to the Navy and 36 to the Air Force.

Artus, a Chemical Engineering junior at the University of the Philippines Visayas when he passed the PMA entrance examinations, will get 14 other awards including the Philippine Navy Saber.

“As new graduates who are entering the active military service, they can be part of the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in responding to the needs of the people, especially now that they are facing the many problems worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the valedictorian said, while vowing that his mistahs (classmates) have committed themselves to become part of the programs of the AFP in securing the safety of the people and the continuous measures in addressing economic as well as social challenges.

Graduating salutatorian is Daryl Brix Colita, 22, son of fish vendors from Malalag, Davao del Sur. Enrolled at the University of Southern Philippines taking Mining Engineering when called by the PMA to join the cadet corps, Colita gets four awards including the Army Saber for besting his mistahs in the Army courses.

Landing third is 22-year-old Valerie Mae Dicang from La Trinidad, Benguet’s capital town. A magna cum laude like Colita, she was a student of Radiology at St. Louis University when PMA knocked on her door. Dicang is getting the Secretary of National Defense Saber.

Fourth on the honor roll is the class Baron (Brigade Commander), 21-year-old Jan Hernan Perez from Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa City. The son of a retired military officer and a businesswoman was enrolled at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Life Science course when he decided to follow his father’s footsteps. Perez gets the Air Force Saber and three more awards.

Placing fifth is Christine Joyce Andog, 22, who comes from a family of soldiers – her father being a retired AFP officer and her mother also a retired Army enlisted personnel from Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija. She is going to the Army.

Feljoy Ending, 24, from Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, ranks sixth. The teacher’s son is also going to the Army.

Seventh is Harold Mars Sastado 22, son of a retired teacher and homemaker from Batangas City. He was a Chemical Engineering student at UP Los Baños when recruited to the Academy.

Placing 8th is 23-year-old Pamela Calleja from Malinao, Albay. Daughter of a retired enlisted Army soldier and a home maker, the soon-to-be Army Second Lieutenant had entered the Polytechnic University of the Philippines when she was called to become a cadet.

Ranking 9th is the son of a farmer and homemaker – 23-year-old Michael Angelo Madriaga from Tabuk City, Kalinga’s capital. He first enrolled at Cagayan State University taking Civil Engineering before landing at the PMA. He is going to the Philippine Navy.

Shirley Fatima Lim, 24, from Tacloban City is 10th, also a cum laude who is going to the Army.

The Athletic Saber Award (male category) will be given to Jaevin Latugan of Tanudan, Kalinga. The same award for female category will be given to Lady Deane Sarmiento of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Aguinaldo Saber Award is going to Kevin Babaran from Enrile, Cagayan. The Sports and Physical Development Plaque awardee is Joel Bacani of San Fernando, La Union.

The Military Justice awardee is Mae Pearl Agustin from Malinao, Aklan while the Journalism Award goes to Annie Chen from Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. – Michael Punongbayan