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Artemio Dumlao - The Philippine Star
May 8, 2025 | 12:00am
FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines — A difficult childhood in the slums of Batasan Hills in Quezon City spurred 23-year-old Jessie Ticar Jr. to top the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduating class of 2025.
“I came to a point when I had to decide if I’ll continue (in university),” the topnotcher of the 266-member “Siklab-Laya” (Sundalong Isinilang na Kasangga at Lakas ng Ating Bayan para sa Kalayaan) said.
Prior to the PMA, he had enrolled at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila where he was a President’s Lister.
Then came the PMA opportunity, although he didn’t really aim to become a military officer. He said his dream was only to ease the economic burdens of his father, a former taxicab driver who became a PWD because of a road accident. His mother sold ballpens and small trinkets in the streets of Quezon City to help support the family.
“Such was my motivation,” Ticar, who is receiving the Presidential Saber from President Marcos on May 17.
One of only four PMA summa cum laudes, the soon-to-be Philippine Army 2nd lieutenant will also receive the JUSMAG Saber, Tactics Group Award, Natural Sciences Plaque, Army Saber, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, General Antonio Award and Humanities Plaque.
At the PMA, Ticar discovered “a deeper calling – that is to serve our country and realized that my capabilities are essential to the security of our nation.”
PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia described the Siklab-Laya class as full of grit and resiliency. Apart from Ticar having the highest grade point average so far in PMA history, Valencia also praised the determination of each cadet from different backgrounds.
He also cited Murthan Zabala, 24, from Barangay Tejero in Cebu City who, despite taking medical leave because of a training injury in 2023, emerged as class salutatorian.
Zabala, also slated to become Philippine Army 2nd lieutenant after graduation, is receiving the Vice Presidential Saber, Academic Group Award, Management Plaque, National Security Studies Plaque, Spanish Armed Forces Saber, Information Technology Plaque and Social Sciences Plaque.
Class Baron Roncher Bernabe, who is heading to the Philippine Air Force, thrice took the PMA entrance exams before succeeding, Valencia said, adding that perseverance paid off, leading to his being named Regimental Commander.
Valencia said Class 2025 made history because aside from having a summa cum laude, four others are magna cum laude and six cum laude.
Imminent Navy Ensign Joana Marie Viray, 23, from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, ranks third in the graduating class. The daughter of a retired soldier and a teacher, the cum laude Viray will receive the Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, Philippine Navy Saber and Secretary of National Defense Saber.
Fourth is Carlo Badiola, 24, from Tigaon, Camarines Sur, headed for the Philippine Army; fifth is 23-year-old Jetron Giorgio Nazareno from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, also a cum laude and getting the Navy Professional Courses Plaque; sixth is 21-year-old Kobe Jo Ann Pajaron of Siaton, Negros Oriental, cum laude and receiving the Philippine Air Force Saber, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award and Department of Leadership Award.
Rounding out the top 10 are Mavin Brian Dapar, 24, from Sevilla, Bohol, who is also going to the Philippine Army, magna cum laude and getting the AGFO Inc. Award; Elzur Salon, 24, from Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, to the Philippine Air Force and receiving the Air Force Professional Courses Plaque; 25-year-old Aprilyn Magsigay of Poblacion Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, to the Philippine Air Force and 23-year-old Kristine Kate Senados from Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, getting the Aguinaldo Saber.
PMA is also recognizing Angeligue Mae Cabardo, 22, from Tubod, Iligan City as magna cum laude, to the Air Force; Jan Navy Malimban, 23, from Tanay, Rizal, also magna cum laude to the Navy; Kint Pinas, 23, from La Trinidad, Benguet, cum laude to the Army; Jan Kristoffer Montaña, 22, of Madaluyong City, cum laude to the Army; Vincent Angelo Laylo, 24, from Lipa City, Batangas as Starman and also cum laude; Victoriano Ainza, 24, from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro getting the DTO plaque and heading to the Army; Bin Ladin Mindalano, 24, from Iligan City to the Air Force with the SPDU plaque; Roland Yvesney Patalinghug, 25, from Butuan City, Agusan del Norte to the Navy with the Mathematics Plaque; Hanna May Algarme, 23 to the Army with the Journalism Award.
