Marcos to 2025 PMA graduates: Serve country with dignity, honor, love
The Philippine Military Academy superintendent, Vice Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia, is surrounded by the top graduating cadets of Siklab Laya Class of 2025, during their presentation on May 7, 2025, led by Cadet First Class (CFC) Jessie Ticar Jr. (at center front row). Also in the photo are CFC Murthan Zabala (second top ranker), CFC Joana Marie Viray (third), CFC Carlo Badiola (fourth), CFC Jetron Giorgio Nazareno (fifth), Kobe Jo Ann Pajaron (sixth), Malvin Brian Dapar (seventh), Elzur Salon (eighth), Aprilyn Magsigay (ninth), and Kristine Kate Senados (10th). —File photo by Neil Clark Ongchangco | Inquirer Luzon
MANILA, Philippines — “Serve with dignity. Serve with honor. Serve with love,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Siklab-Laya Class of 2025 on Saturday.
In his speech at the PMA graduation ceremony at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City, the commander-in-chief paid tribute to the graduates’ families.
“I’m sure you were the first ones to instill discipline in them, from washing the dishes to folding blankets,” Marcos said in Filipino.
The president asked the graduates to keep their families in mind when serving in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Of the 226 Siklab-Laya Class of 2025 graduates, 137 will join the Philippine Army, 71 will join the Philippine Navy, and 58 will join the Philippine Air Force.
All graduates were conferred a Bachelor of Science in Security Management degree.
Son of taxi driver, vendor is valedictorian
Marcos particularly lauded the class’ valedictorian, Lieutenant Jessie Ticar Jr., the fourth summa cum laude in the PMA’s history and the son of a taxi driver and a street vendor in Quezon City.
“In his desire to finish his studies and give his parents a better life, he worked hard to be a soldier,” Marcos said.
READ: Top cadets honored ahead of PMA graduation with Marcos
“I know they’ve had doubts in their hearts, but they chose to share him with the nation,” Marcos said, addressing Ticar’ parents.
54 female graduates
The commander-in-chief especially noted that 54 of the 266 graduates of the Siklab-Laya Class of 2025 were women.
“The female cadets of the PMA are proof that courage, intelligence and skill is not bound by gender,” Marcos said.
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“May you serve as an inspiration to every little girl aspiring to play a big role in our country,” he told the female graduates. /atm
