Midshipman 1st class Allan Jay Jumamoy, 23, the valedictorian of the Philippine Marine Merchant Academy’s Masadiklan Class of 2023, delivers his speech during the 200th commencement exercise of the academy on Thursday, July 20. (Screen grab from live streamed video)
SAN NARCISO, Zambales – A security guard’s son from Bohol emerged as the top graduate of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Magigiting na may Dangal at Simbolo ng Kawal ng karagatan (Madasiklan) Class of 2023.
Midshipman 1st class Allan Jay Jumamoy, 23, recalled the difficulties he went through to achieve his goals, saying that his choice to join the academy was driven by the harsh realities of poverty.
“It all started when my mom told me that she was only a high school graduate and that my father is a security guard, and that I should do better,” Jumamoy said at the graduation rites here on Thursday.
Determined, driven Boholano
“Upon hearing those words, my life changed. I became a determined man who set goals and was ready to face anything to achieve the goals I had dreamed of,” Jumamoy added.
A native of Tagbilaran City, he has been an academic achiever since primary school.
He graduated valedictorian from San Isidro Elementary School and graduated high school with high honors at Tagbilaran City Science High School.
He also worked as a mathematics tutor and took on summer jobs for three consecutive years to ease his parents’ burden.
“I took and passed scholarship exams from DOST (Department of Science and Technology), shipping companies, and various school admissions, and yet I chose PMMA even if it meant letting go of other opportunities,” said Jumamoy.
He is one of the 9,623 applicants who ventured to enter the four walls of the academy and and took up Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE).
He topped his class since his first year in the academy.
Dim nights, bright future
Jumamoy recalled the nights in Bohol when he reviewed his eighth grade lessons under street lights because they did not have electricity at home.
“We are only dependent on a kerosene lamp, and sadly, there are nights that we cannot afford to buy kerosene,” he recounted.
Meeting the President
“Who would have thought that a person like me who comes from a place they call a squatter area or an informal settler will be given the opportunity to see and salute the president of the Philippines before handing over the diploma?” remarked Jumamoy.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong”Marcos Jr. was the guest of honor at PMMA’s commencement exercises.
Marcos urged the 224 graduates of the Masadiklan Class 2023 to continue to do everything with the same amount of passion and resilience that they have shown during the time they had in the academy as they take their respective roles.
“Whatever challenges you may face, be open to how you can live up to your class name: Magigiting na may dangal at simbolo ng kawal ng karagatan,” said Marcos.
Members of the Masadiklan Class of 2023 — eight female and 216 male cadets, will be joining the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine fleet.