By MARTIN A. SADONGDONG
A female cadet from Echague, Isabela topped the male-dominated Philippine Military Academy “Masidlawin” Class of 2020.
The daughter of a farmer and a teacher, Cadet First Class Gemalyn Sugui, 25, graduated No. 1 among the 196 graduates during Masidlawin’s commencement exercises yesterday afternoon at the PMA in Fort del Pilar in Baguio City.
Masidlawin stands for Mandirigmang Isinilang na may Dangal at Lakas Upang Maging Tanglaw ng Inang Bayan.
Vice Admiral Ferdinand Cusi, PMA superintendent, said a “simple and private” graduation was held for the Masidlawin class amid the threat of COVID-19.
After consultations with health authorities and higher military headquarters, he said the PMA leadership decided to close the ceremony to the general public, “including the parents, relatives, friends, and loved ones of the cadets.”
“I believe this is a necessary decision in order to safeguard the health and general well-being of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines and the whole PMA community,” he said.
“As a parent, I know how heartbreaking and disappointing that decision is but we have to do what is best for all. Safety and health are paramount at all times,” he added.
Sugui received the Presidential Saber, Achievement Award for Academic Excellence, Joint United States Military Assistance Group Award, Philippine Army Saber, Spanish Armed Forces Award, Social Sciences Plaque, Management Plaque, and the Rule of Law Award.
Sugui was followed by Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva, 24, from Tacloban City, who received the Vice Presidential Award, Association of Generals and Flag Officers Award, Academic Group Award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, Gen. Antonio Luna Award, Army Service Professional Courses Plaque, Department of Leadership Plaque, and Humanities Plaque.
Cadet First Class Jefferson Salazar, 25, from Zamboanga City, rounded out the Top Three. He was bestowed with the Secretary of National Defense Saber, Philippine Navy Saber, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, and Mathematics Plaque.
Three Cordilleran cadets were fourth to sixth – Cadet First Class Rojes Gaile Jamandre, 22, from Lamut, Ifugao; Cadet First Class Jeb Bay-an, 22, from La Trinidad, Benguet, who also received the Philippine Air Force Award and Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award; and Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong, 24, from Tabuk, Kalinga.
Seventh was Cadet First Class Vanelyn Angel Tabao, 21, from Tuguegarao City; Cadet First Cass June Giel Anne Factor, 23, from Piddig, Ilocos Norte, eighth; Cadet First Class Rubenson Abgao, 21, from Baroy, Lanao del Norte, who was awarded with the Philippine Air Force Service Professional Courses Plaque, ninth; and Cadet First Class Dencel Aina Bayaca, 21, of Floridablanca, Pampanga, tenth.
Cadet First Class Marion Dale Cordova, 22, from Nagcarlan, Laguna received the Chief of Staff Saber and the Achievement Award for Leadership for being the brigade commander of the Cadet Corps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The Masidlawin class is composed of 173 males and 23 females from the original 395 members who reported on April 1, 2016.
One-hundred will join the Philippine Army, including Sugui, Villanueva, Jamandre, and Ladyong; 51 committed to be part of the Philippine Navy, including Salazar; and 45 will join the Philippine Air Force, including Bay-an, Tabao, Factor, Abgao, and Bayaca.
