13 youth from Tawi-Tawi pass PMA entrance test

COTABATO CITY, Philippines -  Thirteen students from the island towns of Tawi-Tawi passed the August 25, 2013 entrance test for the Philippine Military Academy with officials saying that it is a proof that the province has been providing free quality education to its youth.

The PMA’s entrance exam was administered simultaneously in 37 designated centers across the country, an initial stage in the selection of prospective applicants for cadetship in the Philippine’s premier military school.

Tawi-Tawi Rep, Ruby Sahali, in a statement, said she and younger sibling, Gov. Nurbert Sahali, are ready to help fund the travel of the prospective applicants for PMA cadetship when they report to the academy in Baguio City before the start of school year 2014.

The Tawi-Tawi PMA examination passers --  Abraham Nasilin, Amir Ashraf Abusaman,   Nia Sena Ikkao Iskalani, Jesa Marie Cadungog, Erlhyn Fe Camus, Philmar Abejo Castillo, Phoebe Jean Domen, Rodzia Dacula Hamisan, Ebahim Sara Muisad,  Honey Jane Tolentino  Oyda , Sudenie Lazaro Palmes, Yra Yasmeem Qu Salik,  and Al-Yahszdar Abdulhakin Irahani --- are studying in various schools in the province.

“We are praying they will make it through. The Muslim and Christian residents of Tawi-Tawi are elated with the news that 13 of our very own adolescents passed this year’s PMA entrance exam,” Sahali said.

Sahali said she will ask education officials in the province to encourage more students to take the PMA entrance next year.

Sahali’s office and the office of the Tawi-Tawi governor have been helping sustain the schooling of hundreds of high school and college students from the island towns, home to mixed ethnic Samah, Tausog and Christian communities.

Sahali said the tranquility in Tawi-Tawi, touted as the most peaceful province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is one of the factors enabling local students to pursue their studies without  disruption.

Chief Supt. Noel Delos Reyes, director of the ARMM police, said there are towns in Tawi-Tawi that have “zero crime record” owing to the cooperation of religious leaders, local executives and community elders in addressing domestic security concerns through peace dialogues.

“Having 13 students pass all together a very difficult PMA entrance exam is a big feat for us in the province, whose leaders are trying to promote peace and unity among local communities through quality education,” Sahali said.  - John Unson