Police Cadet Ma. Camille Cabasis, the top graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 2024, (Screengrab from Pulis News Network interview aired April 12, 2024)
MANILA, Philippines – A Batangueña who used to earn P25 per hour as a working student at a photocopy center and selling siopao has emerged as the top graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 2024.
Beyond her resourcefulness in earning money for her education, Police Cadet Ma. Camille Cabasis has been an impressive academic achiever from her elementary days.
The Lian, Batangas native, graduated cum laude from the Batangas State University with a degree in criminology passed the licensure examinations in 2019.
She also emerged as the top criminology board exam passer in Region 4-A.
“Hindi naging madali ang buhay sa akin, pero dahil sa aking motivation in life to succeed, I was able to attain kung ano naman mga goals ko sa buhay,” Cabasis said in a Pulis News Network interview.
(My life hasn’t been easy, but because of my motivation to succeed, I have been able to attain my life goals.)
On being the top graduate of the PNPA “Layag-Diwa” Class of 2024, Cabasis attributed her mental, physical, and intellectual strength to her training in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“Sa apat na taon ng aking pagtigil dito sa akademya, ang naging sandigan ko ay Diyos at mayroon akong tatlong prinsipyo upang makamit ang pagiging top 1 ng aming class,” she said.
(In the four years here in the academy, God was my anchor, and I held onto three principles to be emerge as the top student in our class.)
“Una dito ay ang pagiging handa, naniniwala ako na ‘pag tayo ay handa, lahat ng bagay ay magiging madali para sa atin. Pangalawa ay sipag at tiyaga. Hindi madali ang maging kadete, pero sa pamamagitan ng sipag at tiyaga ating malalampasan ang mga pagsubok,” she added.
(First is readiness. I believe that when one is prepared, everything becomes easier. Second is industriousness and perseverance. It’s not easy being a cadet, but through industriousness and perseverance, we can overcome challenges.)
“At ang huli, ang tiwala sa may likha. Sa lahat ng bagay na aking ginawa at nalampasan dito sa akademya palagi akong nagtitiwala sa Diyos na may kapal,” said Cabasis.
(And lastly, trust in God. In everything I’ve done and overcome here in the academy, I always trusted God.)
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. conferred Cabasis with the Presidential Kampilan Award during their graduation rites in Silang, Cavite on Friday.
“Sa ating mga kapwa kabataan at kababaihan, nawa’y magsilbi akong inspirasyon sa inyo,” Cabasis said.
(To the youth and women, may I serve as an inspiration to you.)
“Hindi tayo babae lamang, kundi babae na may magagawa sa lipunan. Kung kaya ko ay kaya niyo,” she concluded.
(We are not just women; we are women who can contribute to society. If I can do it, you can, too.)
