Tovic Salvador

Jessie Ticar Jr. is the valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy's Siklab-Laya Class of 2025. Photos from Ticar

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ABS-CBN News Intern

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17472811133566122908813607683184.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jessie Ticar Jr. is the valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy&#x27;s Siklab-Laya Class of 2025. <em>Photos from Ticar</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Jessie Ticar Jr. never dreamed of becoming a soldier. But a life-altering accident—and the financial hardship that followed—forced him to reconsider his path, leading him to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Now, the once-reluctant cadet graduates as the valedictorian of his class.</p><p>Before entering the academy, Ticar was a civil engineering student at a public university in Manila. But when his father—a former taxi driver—suffered an accident, the resulting financial strain forced Ticar to reassess his priorities.</p><p>&quot;It will take me a lot of time para maka-graduate. Pero kailangan ko nang tumulong. Kaya I asked God na paano ko gagawin na makakapagtapos ako ng pag-aaral while helping my family?&quot; Ticar, whose mother also works as a ballpen and envelope vendor in Quezon City, told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>The PMA came as an unexpected opportunity. Encouraged by a friend to apply, Ticar took it as a sign. At first, his parents were hesitant about the idea. But when he shared his intention to support them financially, they gave their blessing.</p><p>&quot;I showed them my seriousness. Kinuha ko yung tiwala nila, I said, &#x27;Ma, pa, maybe this is God&#x27;s way. God&#x27;s working on me para matupad yung mga gusto ko which is makapagtapos ng pag-aaral while helping my family,&#x27;&quot; he recalled.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17472812036755ff76005-9dce-4dee-b2a9-a7bdee9413df.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Ticar&#x27;s family</em></span></span></span></div><p>Throughout his four years at the academy, Ticar leaned heavily on his family for support. Despite the distance between them, he felt like he was guided by his family’s prayers.</p><p>“Kahit na nandito ako sa loob, ramdam ko na pinagdadasal nila ako para sa aking kaligtasan at kalusugan,” he said.</p><p>Recently, Ticar learned he emerged as the valedictorian of the PMA&#x27;s Siklab-Laya Class of 2025. The 23-year old is also the fourth cadet to graduate as summa cum laude in the academy&#x27;s 127-year history.</p><p>In addition to graduating at the top of his class, Ticar will receive several distinctions—including the prestigious Presidential Saber, to be personally awarded by President Ferdinand &quot;Bongbong&quot; Marcos Jr. during the graduation ceremony on May 17.</p><div><strong>&#x27;Tested my limits&#x27;</strong></div><p>But the journey was far from easy. The PMA entrance exam, which has a passing rate of only 5% based on recent results, in itself, had him go through the eye of a needle. But the struggles of a student in PMA were much bigger in completing the four-year course.</p><p>At the start of his training, Ticar even considered quitting.</p><p>“Kahit simpleng command, nahihirapan akong sumunod. It really tested my limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally,” he said.</p><p>But Ticar was able to overcome those challenges with the help of his upperclassmen, squad leaders and friends.</p><p>Beyond the grueling physical training, the mathematically-inclined Ticar also excelled in the classroom. He also took an interest in the leadership courses, which taught him the essence of following commands. </p><p>“I learned how to influence other people by providing them with purpose, direction, and motivation. That&#x27;s where I learned how to lead. And not just to lead but also to inspire others to improve themselves,” he said.</p><p>Lieutenant Jesse Nestor Saludo, chief of the PMA Public Affairs Office, explained during an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo that cadets are trained in character, academics, military and physical.</p><p>A cadet is expected to finish a degree in Bachelor of Science in Management Major in Security Studies, exhibit a lifestyle of discipline and order, and be trained in various focus areas from basic to leadership.</p><p>Ticar, as the class valedictorian, has excelled in all of these.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17472811958956122908813607683183.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>While being a part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was not his childhood dream, his stay in the academy helped him realized that, &quot;Being a soldier became my lifelong commitment.&quot;</p><p>Ticar hopes to repay his family for their sacrifices and support. “I want them to see &#x27;yong gusto nilang makita sa akin as their son and also a graduate of PMA,” he said.</p><p>Truly, all sweat and tears were not put in vain when the boy who once entered the PMA to help his family’s financial burden will now lead the 266 cadets—58 of which are female—who will march with him in the graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 17.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/15/266-cadets-to-graduate-from-pma-class-of-2025-majority-to-join-philippine-army-1826">266 cadets to graduate from PMA Class of 2025; majority to join Philippine Army</a></div><p>He highlighted: “I don’t intend to be a valedictorian at first. I just did everything, palagi ko lang po ginagawa ‘yung best ko, ‘yung standard po ay mine-meet ko, and fortunately, biniyayaan po ni Lord na maging valedictorian.”</p><div><strong>Heading to the Army</strong></div><p>Heavily inspired by the leadership courses he took, he chose the Philippine Army as his branch of service. </p><p>&quot;I want to lead my subordinates, my troops in the field, on the ground. And I believe that my training and my capabilities—talagang akma-akma sa [Philippine] Army,&quot; he said.</p><p>He added that in the next five years, he still sees himself serving the same branch as &quot;a more determined and eager officer than I am today.&quot;</p><p>Asked about his advice to those who aspire to enter the AFP, he said, “Continue niyo lang yung pangarap sa propesyon na &#x27;yan. Don&#x27;t lose that aspiration.”</p><p>The PMA entrance exam has now opened for registration. — <strong>with Marilyn Cahatol, ABS-CBN News </strong></p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eXKONoBfNVI?si=65Z_B8c4BJh7vrEw" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Once reluctant to join the armed forces, Jessie Ticar Jr. found his calling at the Philippine Military Academy after a family crisis and now graduates as the valedictorian of his class.</p>

Once reluctant to join the armed forces, Jessie Ticar Jr. found his calling at the Philippine Military Academy after a family crisis and now graduates as the valedictorian of his class.

Ballpen vendor's son is 2025 PMA class valedictorian

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Ballpen vendor's son is 2025 PMA class valedictorian

ABS-CBN News Intern,

Alexandrea Mecky Buenafe

Published May 15, 2025 12:11 PM PHT

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Updated May 16, 2025 05:29 PM PHT

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Philippine Military Academy

Jessie Ticar Jr

Siklab-Laya Class of 2025

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