BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Described as full of grit and resiliency, Philippine Military Academy “Siklab-Laya” (Sundalong Isinilang na Kasangga at Lakas ng Ating Bayan para sa Kalayaan) Class of 2025 will be graduating on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. as the guest of honor and speaker.
The President will present awards and award the diplomas of the 266- strong graduating cadets composed of 212 males and 54 females during the commencement exercises at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. He will also address the class who will be commissioned as 2nd lieutenants and ensigns of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The pioneer class to conduct the Joint Field Training Exercise (JFTX) at Pag-asa Island in Palawan giving them an overview of the current Philippine security landscape, the class valedictorian of PMA Class 2025 has set a record-high academic average in the country’s premier military school.
Cadet First Class Jessie Ticar Jr., from Batasan Hills in Quezon City, is a son of a taxi driver who suffered stroke, and a vendor who sells ballpens and envelopes at the Quezon City Hall area.
He is graduating as a summa cum laude, only the fourth to achieve such academic feat in the history of PMA, and has the highest average.
“Cadet 1CL Ticar came from very humble beginnings. His father is a PWD. His mother is a vendor in Quezon City but yet, he is one of the four Summa cum laude in the entire history of PMA, and he has attained the highest grade point average ever in the history of PMA,“ PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard N. Valencia said.
Ticar will receive the Presidential Saber, the Philippine Army Saber and the Jusmag Saber.
His other awards include the Tactics Group Award, Natural Sciences Plaque, Army Professional Courses Plaque, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, General Antonio Luna Award and Humanities Plaque.
Joining Ticar in the Top 10 are Cadet 1CL Murthan Zabala of Cebu City, Cadet 1CL Joana Marie Viray of Pasay City, Cadet 1CL Carlo Badiola of Camarines Sur, Cadet 1CL Jetron Giorgio Nazareno of Oriental Mindoro, Cadet 1CL Kobe Jo Ann Pajaron of Negros Oriental, Cadet 1CL Malvin Brian Dapar of Bohol, Cadet 1CL Elzur Salon of Nueva Vizcaya, Cadet 1CL Aprilyn Magsigay of Agusan del Sur, and Cadet 1CL Kristine Kate Senados of Zamboanga Sibugay.
Roughly one half of the ‘Siklab-Laya’ Class will join the Philippine Army with 112 males and 25 females; 71 composed of 56 males and 15 females will join the Philippine Navy and 58, 44 males and 14 females, will go to the Philippine Air Force. (JDP/RMC, Jairus Cardinoza & Arnmari Christine Dela Cruz-PIA CAR-SLU Interns)
