PMA graduate from Negros Occidental gets hero’s welcome

NEWOFFICERS Members of the Philippine Military Academy Masaligan Class of 2021 receive their rank insignias on May 6, before they are commissioned as new officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during their graduation on May 10. —PMA FACEBOOK PAGE PHOTO

BACOLOD CITY – A resident of San Enrique town in Negros Occidental who graduated on top of his military academy class was given a hero’s welcome upon his return to his hometown on Thursday, May 20.

Crowds gathered to cheer as 2nd Lt. Janrey Cabanero Artus’ motorcade passed by.

Mayor Jilson Tubillara said they gave Artus a cash incentive for his feat.

“We are very proud of him. He brought honor to San Enrique and Negros Occidental,” Tubillara said.

Artus, 25,  graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) for the  Mandirigmang Samahan ng Lakas na Sandigan ng Bayan (Masaligan) Class of 2021 in May.

He is the son of  retired Technical Sgt. Florencio Artus who spent 10 of his 20 years as a soldier  in Marawi City. His mother Jocelyn Artus was a retired Guintorilan Elementary School mathematics and music teacher.

Artus said he was drawn to the PMA because his father and brother are military men.

“I do my best in everything. At the PMA, we were taught to exercise excellence as their way of life, live by the honor code, and to always have faith in God,” he said.

JPV