BAGUIO CITY – A female cadet hailing from the province of Isabela topped this year’s graduating class of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Cadet First Class Gemalyn Sugui, who earned an economics degree from the University of the Philippines-Baguio, bested 195 other graduates of “Masidlawin” Class of 2020 to become the sixth woman in history to top the PMA graduating batch since 1993.
25-year old Sugui, daughter of a farmer and a school teacher, intends to join the Philippine Army along with 99 of her classmates.
Forty-five other Masidlawin members will become part of the Philippine Air Force while the remaining 51 members will join the Philippine Navy.
Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva from Taclobaln City ranked second among the Masidlawin’s top 10 cadets, followed by Cadet First Class Jefferson Salazar from Zamboanga City.
Below are the top 10 of Masidlawin Class of 2020:
- Cadet First Class Gemalyn Sugui (Isabela)
- Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva (Tacloban City)
- Cadet First Class Jefferson Salazar (Zamboanga City)
- Cadet First Class Rotes Gaile Jamandre (Ifugao)
- Cadet First Class Jeb Bay-An (La Trinidad, Benguet)
- Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong (Kalinga)
- Cadet First Class Vanelyn Angel Tabao (Tuguegarao)
- Cadet First Class June Giel Anne Factor (Piddig, Ilocos Norte)
- Cadet First Class Rubenson Abgao (Lanao Del Norte)
- Cadet First Class Dencel Aina Bayaca (Floridablanca, Pampanga)
The graduating class will march in a ceremony on Friday afternoon, but neither their parents nor the media will be allowed to attend due to travel restrictions.
The ceremony, however, will be streamed live.
Baguio City is under general community quarantine but has been implementing strict border control due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The PMA graduation ceremony involves a testimonial parade and review to honor retiring alumni and trooping the line where cadets assemble in formations.
The last time that the PMA was unable to hold a graduation rites was during World War 2.
In February, the PMA alumni association delayed its homecoming by a week due to coronavirus threat. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Grace Doctolero)
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