PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia (wearing Philippine Navy Uniform) with the Top Ten cadets of the Philippine Military Academy “Talang Dangal” Class of 2026 during the media presentation held at Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, on May 6. Photo by Zaldy Comanda
FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines – A Batangueña topped the 207 members of the Philippine Military Academy “Talang Dangal” (Tagapagtanggol ng Lahing Dakila at Marangal) Class of 2026, during the media presentation held at the PMA’s Kapihan on May 6.
This year’s topnotcher is Cadet 1CL Christine Kye Demisina Librada, 23, of Lipa City, Batangas, who will receive the Presidential Saber Award from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who is expected to attend the graduation rites on May 16.
Librada, the daughter of a former soldier, will also be honored with the Philippine Army Saber. Information Techno;ogy Plaque, JUSMAG Award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award and other awards.
The Vice Presidential Saber Award will be received by No.2 Cadet 1CL Mark John Vincent Utlang Catacutan, 24, of Napolian, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, called Magna Cum Laude, who also has the Philippine Air Force Saber Award, General Antonio Luna Award, Spanish Armed Forces Award, Alejandro Melchor Award, Management Plaque, Natural Sciences Plaque, Humanities Plaque, Pelagio Cruz Plaque, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award.
Others in the Top Ten are No. 3 Cadet 1CL Thomas Edgar Isla Sepulchre, 23, of Angeles City, Pampanga, who will receive the Secretary of National Defense Saber award; No. 4 Cadet 1CL Ian Harold Durana Hubilla, 23, of Sorsogon City, (Sorsogon, who will receive the Chief of Staff Saber award; No.5 Cadet 1CL Maeg Adriene Pajarillo Bermudez, 24, of Moncada, Tarlac, with the Social Sciences Plaque award; No. 6. Cadet 1CL Cherry Mae Panag Geco , 24, of Jamindan, Capiz.
No.7 Cadet 1CL Elixa Anya Lumbang Hernandez, 22, of Padre Garcia, who will receive the Philippine Navy Saber, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award; No.8 Cadet 1CL Catherine Beloa De Chavez, 22, of San Pascual, who will be awarded the Chief Justice Saber, Artemio Ricarte Plaque; No.9 Cadet 1CL Cedric Guingguing Polizon, 24, of Surigao del Sur (Cum Laude) and No.10 Cadet 1CL Mark Clement Dequinto Centina, 24, of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
According to PMA Superintendent Caesar Bernardo Valencia, of the total 207 cadets from the “Talang Dangal” Class 2026, there are 142 males and 65 females, of which 79 are in the Philippine Army, 62 in the Philippine Airforce and 69 in the Philippine Navy. (By Zaldy Comanda)
