PMA valedictorian for 2020 is daughter of farmer, teacher

MANILA — The daughter of a farmer and teacher from Echague, Isabela topped the Philippine Military Academy Masidlawin Class of 2020.

This year's valedictorian, 25-year-old Cadet First Class Gemalyn Sugui bested nearly 200 other graduates. She earlier obtained a Bachelor of Science in Management Economics degree from the University of the Philippines Baguio.

She is also awarded with the Presidential Saber, the Achievement Award for Academic Excellence, the JUSMAG Award, the Philippine Army Saber, the Spanish Armed Forces Award, the Social Sciences Plaque, the Management Plaque, and the Rule of Law Award, the PMA said.

The Masidlawin Class's top 10 includes 5 women and 3 cadets from the Cordilleras. They are:

- Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva from Tacloban City
- Cadet First Class Jefferson Salazar from Zamboanga City.
- Cadet First Class Rojes Gaile Jamandre from Lamut, Ifugao
- Cadet First Class Jeb Bay-an from Benguet
- Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong from Tabuk, Kalinga
- Cadet First Class Vanelyn Angel Tabao from Tuguegarao City
- Cadet First Class June Giel Anne Factor from Piddig, Ilocos Norte
- Cadet First Class Rubenson Abgao Maliwanag Baroy, Lanao del Norte
- Cadet First Class Dencel Aina Bayaca of Floridablanca, Pampanga

Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva from Tacloban City

Cadet First Class Jefferson Salazar from Zamboanga City

Cadet First Class Rotes Gaile Jamandre from Lamut, Ifugao

Cadet First Class Jeb Bay-an from La Trinidad, Benguet

Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong from Tabuk, Kalinga

Cadet First Class Vanelyn Angel Tabao from Tuguegarao City

Cadet First Class June Giel Anne Factor from Piddig, Ilocos Norte

Cadet First Class Rubenson Abgao Maliwanag Baroy, Lanao del Norte

Cadet First Class Dencel Aina Bayaca of Floridablanca, Pampanga

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the country's premier military training institution will not open this year's graduation rites to the public to include the parents and loved ones of the graduates, said PMA Superintendent Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi.

"I believe this is a necessary decision in order to safeguard the health and general well-being of the CCAFP (Cadet Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the whole PMA community," he said in a statement.

"As a parent, I know how heartbreaking and disappointing that decision is, but we have to do what is best for all. Safety and health are paramount at all times,” he added.

Twenty-three female cadets and 173 male cadets belong to the Masidlawin Class. Of the total, 100 will join the Philippine Army, 45 will go to the Philippine Air Force and 51 to the Philippine Navy, said the PMA.

With a report from Maira Geneva Nuarin, ABS-CBN News