Baguio cadet tops PMA class of 2015

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines  – Local boy Cadet First Class Arwin Martinez topped the 2015 graduating class of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Besting 170 of his mistahs (classmates), the soft-spoken and religious Martinez, 22, hails from Barangay Loakan in the city, just a stone’s throw from the country’s premier military training institution.

Coming from a deeply spiritual family of Kankanaey and Ibaloi descent in Buguias, Benguet and Loakan village here, Martinez enrolled in the PMA four years ago “for the glory of God.”

Martinez said his father Dancio, a government forester at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here, always told him that “what we do should be for the glory of God.”

Martinez, who will be an Army second lieutenant after graduation day on March 15, had previously enrolled at Saint Louis University and took up Electronics and Communications Engineering before he entered the military academy.

“I always wanted to become a soldier and secondly, to serve God,” he said.

The opportunity came with the help of the Lord, and the would-be Army officer has accepted the risks of being a soldier “as a given.”

President Aquino will attend the commencement exercises of the PMA class of 2015 on Sunday.

“Recognizing that the nation’s defense lies in their hands, the President seeks to inspire the youth to love and serve the country, and to acknowledge their responsibility toward their fellow Filipinos,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement yesterday.

Lacierda said Aquino would present the graduating cadets with their diplomas and confer the Presidential Saber on the cadet who obtained the highest honors.

PMA Class 2015 is called “Sinag-lahi,” short for “Sundalong Isinilang na May Angking Galing at Lakas, Handang Ipaglaban Ang Bayan.”

Of the 171 graduates, 92 chose the Army like Martinez, 45 are going to the Navy and 34 to the Air Force.

Only one female cadet – fifth placer Caroline Jhoy Ramirez Nacional, 22, from Maitum, Sarangani – made it to the top 10 this year.

“It is a privilege to serve the nation,” said Nacional, who will also join the Army.

Her original dream was to be a doctor. “But dreams change,” she said.

Baguio Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr. hailed Martinez as the pride of Baguio.

Ever since the PMA was established in Baguio City, this is the first time that a native resident became the military academy’s topnotcher. Baguio-born cadets have often made it to the top 10.

Graduating number 7 of the class is another Baguio-born cadet, Jan Klyde Blair Tenedero Danganan, who will serve in the Navy.

Placing second is Genesis Salvador, followed by John Paul Atanacio Bacsain and Paolo Dominic Mantaring Regis. Finishing in sixth place is John Denver Salinto Bambico, followed by Danganan, Steven Gabica Tali, Brian Salise Villanueva and Regeric Rex Rivas Fuentes.

Bicolano cadet Renato Aurellano Cariño Jr. is the class’ top brigade commander or Class Baron, who will receive the chief of staff saber.

Cariño, who will join the Army, finished 25th in the class.

PMA superintendent Major Gen. Oscar Lopez said that this class is very intelligent, and included nine valedictorians, nine salutatorians and 35 honorable mention recipients in high school.

Lopez said there were no controversial issues this year similar to the case of former First Class cadet Aldrin Cudia, who was dismissed from the PMA last year. – With Aurea Calica