Annually, thousands of young men and women try their luck entering the prestigious Philippine Military Academy (PMA), and only few get in. Since its establishment in 1939, the PMA has produced top military graduates who now lead the country’s armed forces and police. 

For 2021, 164 cadets will be graduating from the academy during the official rites on May 10, as part of the Masaligan (MAndirigmang SAmahan na Lakas at SandIGAN ng Bayan) class. Of these graduates, 138 are male, or 84% of the total, while 26 are female.

Of the top 10 graduates, four are women. 

Meanwhile, 3 of these top graduates were from the University of the Philippines system.

Here’s the list of the top 10 graduating cadets:

Rank 1: 1st Cadet Janray Artus, the valedictorian

1st Cadet Janray Artus from San Enrique, Negros Occidental, is a son of government employees.

The 25-year-old is a member of the Echo Company and will join the Philippine Navy. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines-Visayas. 

He was a university scholar in college. He also finished high school with honors. 

Artus was a consistent dean’s and commandant’s lister in the PMA. He was also the vice chairperson for Investigation of the Honor Committee. 

He helped in the revision of the Honor Code and System Handbook and Pamphlet Series 2020. Artus is currently the 3rd battalion academic officer.

Aside from graduating summa cum laude and being valedictorian, Artus will receive 15 other special awards. Among these recognitions are the Presidential Saber award, for being number one in the list of graduating cadets, and the Philippine Navy Saber for being the top cadet who will join the navy.

Rank 2: Daryl Brix Colita, the Davao native

The salutatorian of the Masaligan Class comes from Malalag town in Davao del Sur. 22-year-old Daryl Brix Colita got his Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering degree from the University of Southeastern Philippines in Mindanao. 

Colita was class valedictorian in high school. He is also the Alfa Company commander and the 1st battalion commander.

He will join the Army.

Rank 3: Valerie Mae Dicang, the top female

The top female cadet is Valerie Mae Dicang from La Trinidad, Benguet. The 22-year-old cadet will join the Army.

Dicang is a member of the Foxtrot Company. She was a radiologic technology student at St Louis University in Baguio City. 

She was a consistent dean’s and commandant’s lister and will graduate magna cum laude.

Rank 4: Jan Hernan Perez, the multi-awarded batch president

Number 4, Cadet 1st Class Jan Hernan Perez, was a former life sciences student at the Ateneo de Manila University. The 21-year-old cadet is the president of the Masaligan Class of 2021. 

Perez was a consistent dean’s and commandant’s lister. He is currently the brigade commander of the cadet corps Armed Forces of the Philippines.

His accomplishments include being an Ayala Young Leader in 2020 and a finalist in the National Debate Championship 2018. He was also the Outstanding Graduate of Basic Air Force Course of Class 2021-A.

He will receive the Philippine Air Force Saber for being the top graduating cadet who will join the Air Force.

Rank 5: Christine Joyce Andog, from mechanical engineering to military academy

Cadet 1st Class Christine Joyce Andog ranked 5th and hails from Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija. She will graduate cum laude. 

She was a graduate of the mechanical engineering program of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology.  The 22-year-old female cadet will join the Philippine Army.

Rank 6: Feljoy Ending, former criminology student

Cadet 1st Class Feljoy Ending is a member of the Bravo Company. The 24-year-old is a Oroquieta City native from Misamis Occidental.

He was a former criminology student. Ending plans to join the Philippine Army.

Rank 7: Harold Mars Sastado, former UPLB student

The Number 7 of the 2021 PMA Class hails from Batangas City. Cadet 1st Class Harold Mars Sastado is a member of the Alfa Company. 

Sastado will graduate cum laude. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

He will join the Philippine Army.

Rank 8: Pamela Calleja, former ‘PUPian’

Cadet 1st Class Pamela Calleja got her Bachelor of Science in Public Administration degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The 23-year-old female cadet will join the Philippine Army. 

Calleja is currently the Female Barracks commander. She was also a dean’s and commandant’s lister.

Rank 9: Michael Angelo Madriaga, Kalinga native

Kalinga native Cadet 1st Class Michael Angelo Madriaga ranks 9th among the 2021 PMA graduates. He was a former civil engineering student at the Cagayan State University. 

The 23-year-old cadet graduated with honors in high school. He will join the Philippine Navy.

Rank 10: Shirly Fatima Lim, former DOST scholar

Cadet 1st Class Shirly Fatima Lim is from Tacloban City. She was a Department of Science and Technology scholar and chemical engineering student at UP Visayas. 

Lim is the current chairperson of the Honor Committee and was a consistent dean’s and commandant’s lister. 

She will join the Philippine Army. – Rappler.com