AT LEAST four of the 263-strong graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 2019 were Kagay-anons.
The graduates were Alfraim Sheine Gomez, 24, a resident of barangay Lumbia; John Bryan Terosa Bilagantol, 26-years-old of Camp Evangelista; Kenneth John Bomediano Cayanga, 23, a resident of Apovel, barangay Patag and Hanz Gerones Roa, 21, of barangay Kauswagan.
They were at the City Hall on Monday, June 3, for a courtesy call with Mayor Oscar Moreno.
Gomez, in an interview, urged aspiring Kagay-anon youth to enroll at the prestigious military academy.
"Doon namin natutunan yung disiplina, gumising ng maaga, limited yung freedom, kagaya sa pagpili ng pagkain, yung pagtulog may naka set na time, may sinusunod kaming schedule," she said.
"It's not all military training, of course merong academics," Gomez said.
Gomez shared that it was not her dream to join the PMA, but her parent's. However, after being immersed in the community, Gomez said there were no regrets.
"My training in the PMA opened up my eyes on the reality of our nation, the problems especially. At the same time, my sense of nationalism and patriotism were awakened, that each of us has a duty to protect our nation against people who want chaos and disorder," she added.
The Class of 2019, dubbed as "Mabalasik", was led by
Dionne Mae Apolog Umalla of Alilem town, Ilocos Sur province, who graduated at the top of her class.
Umalla, 21, is only the fifth woman to graduate as class valedictorian since women were accepted into the academy in 1993.
Gomez said Umalla is an inspiration to all female PMAers.
"It's a great honor and challenge, kasi kailangan makipagsabayan and we have to prove ourselves that we are capable in a man's world," she added.