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Sunday, March 07, 2004
Former SLU ECE stude tops PMA Class 2004
By Harley Palangchao
FORT DEL Pilar, Baguio - A 21-year-old student from Aguilar town, Pangasinan, who let go of a career in engineering because of his dream of becoming a soldier, will lead the 139-strong Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Maliyab Class of 2004 during graduation rites on March 14 at CAP Cultural Convention Center in Camp John Hay.
Cadet First Class Rolly Joaquin, a former Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) first year student of the Saint Louis University here, will also receive the PGMA Achievement Award for Academic Excellence from President Arroyo and the Philippine Army Saber.
Arroyo, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will be the guest of honor and speaker during the graduation rites, which will be held at the CAP Convention Center this year and not at the Borromeo Field, like in previous graduation rites, said Maj.Gen. Edilberto Adan, PMA superintendent.
Joaquin is the eldest of the three siblings of Rocky Joaquin, a bus operator and Erlinda Joaquin, a court stenographer in Pangasinan province. He finished his elementary days in Pangasinan and graduated at the St. Louis University High School in 1999.
Meanwhile, only one of the 11 female members of the Maliyab Class 2004 made it to the top 10. Cadet First Class Julie Javier, 23, of Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, ranked number nine.
Then Cadet First Class cadet now 2nd Army Lt. Tara Jaime Velasco of Tarlac City topped the PMA Class of 2003. Velasco was the second cadette to graduate as valedictorian after Navy ensign Arlene de la Cruz in 1997.
The other honor graduates are Gerald Escalante of Makati (2nd); Mark Tabon of Iligan City (3rd); Jerry Catbagan of Pozzurubio, Pangasinan (4th); Ruel Acero of Pikit, North Cotabato (5th); Garry Hilario of Zambales (6th); Ronald Juan of PMA, Baguio City (7th); Marvin Inocencio of Balintawak (8th); and Rene Dao-ayan of Itogon, Benguet (10th).
After graduation and his three-month training with the United States Armed Forces, Joaquin, along with five members of the top 10 graduates, will be joining the Army.
Class Maliyab has 367 original cadet members, but the number was reduced to 139 because of academic deficiencies and demerits.
Joaquin told reporters he decided to drop his engineering course to pursue his dream of becoming a military officer. He was among 18,510 PMA applicants four years ago.
(March 7, 2004 issue)
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