Thursday, March 13, 2008
Mindanaoans rule top 10 of PMA grads
By Rimaliza Opiña
LIVING in Mindanao has its misgivings especially when the public believes kidnapping, suicide bombings, Abu Sayyaf and poverty are all that could be associated with the country's second largest island.
But this was proven wrong when Major General Leopoldo Maligalig, superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), presented this year's top 10 of the Bagong Halaw ng Lahi (Baghawi) Class of 2008.
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In the top 10, six came from Mindanao, four of them are from Zamboanga while the two others hail from South Cotabato and Cagayan de Oro City.
First in his class, 25-year-old Ariel Rallos hails from Canelar Triplett, Zamboanga City. A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Physics at the University of Western Mindanao, Rallos will be joining the Philippine Navy (PN).
On the March 18 PMA graduation ceremony, Rallos will be awarded the Presidential Saber, PGMA award for excellence, PN sword, Jusmag award as top graduate joining the PN, Aguinaldo saber, academic group award, mathematics plaque and department of tactical officers plaque.
The graduation rites will be held at the Borromeo Field. The guest of honor and speaker is President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Landing fourth in the top 10 is 25-year-old Dennis Legaspi of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, which is part of Zamboanga del Sur.
Legaspi will be joining the Philippine Army (PA). He will be awarded the Jusmag award for being the top graduate joining the PA.
At fifth is 25-year-old Vergel Lacambra of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. Like Legaspi, he will also be joining the PA.
He will be conferred the humanities plaque, management plaque, social sciences plaque, army professional courses plaque and journalism award.
Landing seventh is 24-year-old Francisco Pondoyo Jr. of Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur. He will also be joining the PA and will be conferred the Association of Generals and Flag Officers award (Agfo).
In ninth and 10th place are 25-year-old Dennis Moreno of Banga, South Cotabato and 23-year-old Vay Caballero of Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City. They will be joining the PA.
The only female who landed at the top 10 is 22-year-old Me-Ann Sinson of Ligao City, Albay who will be joining the Philippine Air Force (PAF). She will be conferred the Secretary of National Defense saber Air Force Professional Courses Plaque.
Bernard Roderick Joaquin, 22, of Aguilar, Pangasinan, is top two of the 2008 class. He will be joining the PAF and will be awarded the Vice Presidential saber, PAF saber, tactics group award and the Jusmag award for being the top graduate joining the PAF.
Landing sixth and eighth are 22-year-old Carlo Catalan of Dumaguete City and 21-year-old Marc Louie Parado of Baliuag, Bulacan, who will both be joining the PA.
Other awardees are Cadets Freddiemyr Villamayor for computer and information sciences, Aldous Christopher Tamayo for leadership, Randolf Ramiro for navy professional courses, Jeremy Esilen for sports and physical development and Elizabeth Rosete, for athletics.
Completing the list of academic excellence awardees are Cadets Louie Ponce (magna cum laude) and Sinson, Catalan, Gracella Tecson, Jobal Ginez, Gilbert Ticman, Karl Jace Pagtananan, John Dave Aguilar, Danilo Vidad Jr., Antonio Guitering, Harry Lyndon Sersena, Roosevelt Cadiz, Arthur Nasayao, Freddie Navarro, Marvin Batay-an, Jim Donaire, John Martin Samarita, Ruel Gutierrez, Michael Tabali, Michelle Cabalonga, Noel Alekhine Carampel, June Mark Matugas and Jeazzine Ingret Actub, all cum laude.
The Baghawi Class of 2008 is made up of 220 cadets, where 23 are females. Of the 220 cadets, 119 will be joining the PA, 57 will be joining the PN and 44 for the PAF.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (March 13, 2008 issue)
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