Jaehwa Bernardo

Guidson Domingo is the first Filipino to take home the prestigious Star Cadet Award at the Korean Military Academy. Photos courtesy of Domingo

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Filipino cadet carries ‘Pinoy pride’ to historic win in South Korea

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17575641052213f8a1cbc-1cac-432e-872e-0748df3ca58e.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Guidson Domingo is the first Filipino to take home the prestigious Star Cadet Award at the Korean Military Academy. Photos courtesy of Domingo</div>The familiar echoes of &quot;Pinoy pride&quot; resonate deep within our hearts, uniting us every time a fellow Filipino shines on any global stage. This feeling comes from our collective celebration of seeing them carry the name of the Philippines and make history.One such moment of national pride belongs to Army Cadet Guidson Domingo, the first Filipino to take home the prestigious Star Cadet Award at the Korean Military Academy (KMA) in February this year. Domingo’s phenomenal grit and unwavering service earned him the highest honor a cadet can receive at KMA, engraving his own name into the Korean grounds and raising our flag with immense pride. A native of Kabacan, North Cotabato, Domingo began his cadet journey at KMA in February 2021, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. His outstanding performance in academics, physical fitness, and various military training showcased a built-in fortitude that had been finally recognized. “The Star Cadet Award is a coveted award sa kahit anong service academies,” said PMA public affairs chief Lt. Jesse Nestor Saludo in an interview with ABS-CBN News. “Even here in PMA, only a few cadets are eligible for the Starman award, kasi kailangan complete package ka as a cadet.”“The academy is really proud of Cadet Domingo hindi lang dahil it’s his personal achievement, but he is the first Filipino na maka-receive ng ganitong award sa international academy. And it speaks well of the fact that our cadets, the Filipino youth, are at par and very competitive globally,” he continued. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17575642295036fa93a91-6949-4c95-9669-29e190be614a.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17575642476014e58427f-08c6-453d-ab2d-003ca7626c15.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>But achieving such a prestigious award was not an easy feat. Barriers have entered the scene, challenging Domingo’s resilience to stand his own ground in both academics and military duty. Despite him completing a one-year Korean language course at Korea Defense Language Institute (KDLI), the learning never stopped. He had to double his efforts to excel academically and adapt to a vastly different military training system, including the four-seasonal training semesters in Korea — spring, summer, winter, and autumn. “Iba po ang buhay sa loob ng [Korean] academy,” Domingo said. “Hindi ka makakauwi kung gusto mo nang umuwi. Hindi ka rin makakapagsalita gamit ‘yung sarili mong lenggwahe, hindi ka makakasabay sa mga kaklase mong naglalaro dahil kailangang mag-doble kayod sa academics at pagpapalakas (physically),” he continued.“‘Yung mga kaklase ko, kapag pumapasok sila ng klase, hindi na nila binabasa ‘yung pag-aaralan namin. Ako po, kailangan kong basahin muna kung ano ‘yung pag-aaralan namin kasi kapag hindi ko binasa, pagdating ko doon, wala akong maiintindihan kasi may mga bagong salita na gagamitin,” he added. Fortunately, with the help of his foster family in Korea, Domingo was able to gradually learn and understand the Korean language better. His extra effort and commitment to learning eventually paid off. It led him to win the 2nd Korean Speaking Contest held at Kyungrip Changwon National University in South Korea last May, where he ranked first among eight international cadets and competitors from different institutions. Domingo also shared that during his second year, he made it to the top 4 in their ranger course —  an intense military training program that equips young soldiers to elite operations —  as part of their summer training. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17575641609221d4dbab2-41c3-44ce-8b66-2f16202b4e8f.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>Domingo’s success is not just about personal titles and triumphs; it’s a reflection of what the Filipino youth can become, given the right assistance and opportunities. “The PMA sends cadets annually. Taon-taon, nagpapadala kami ng mga kadete natin sa iba’t ibang bansa, sa mga partnered academies natin (US, Australia, Japan, and South Korea),” Saludo said. “We provide opportunities for Filipino youth to study abroad, nang sa gano’n din po, makakuha (kami) ng global perspective na para pagdating po nila dito sa Pilipinas, magagamit po natin lalo na kapag sila ay naging officers na ng Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.Domingo is just one of the cadets sent internationally through the PMA’s Foreign Pre-Commissioning Training Institution Service (FPTIS) Program, which is designed to hone the skills of future military officers while strengthening the country’s global defense ties. After a series of screenings, exams, tests, and even language courses, the PMA selects and trains potential cadets who they believe can excel in foreign military academies. Domingo has set the bar high for this program’s mission, carving a benchmark that Filipinos can also stand shoulder to shoulder with international counterparts.Notably, his hard-earned award not only paves the way for his own military career but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring cadets to serve the country.

Army cadet Guidson Domingo is the first Filipino to take home the prestigious Star Cadet Award at the Korean Military Academy.

Army cadet Guidson Domingo is the first Filipino to take home the prestigious Star Cadet Award at the Korean Military Academy.

Filipino cadet carries ‘Pinoy pride’ to historic win in South Korea

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Filipino cadet carries ‘Pinoy pride’ to historic win in South Korea

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Jen Esquivel

Published Sep 11, 2025 12:59 PM PHT

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Guidson Domingo

overseas Filipino

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