FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – The valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Salaknib Class of 2017 urged her “mistahs” to aim for excellence and do their best to fulfill their duties.
“Let us not fail our alma mater; let us make her proud by doing our job and by doing it well,” Cadet First Class Mairel Valino Martinez said during her speech before 167 mistahs or batchmates here.
Martinez said her mistahs should aim for excellence despite their imperfections.
“I’m just an ordinary cadet, one who commits mistakes, who slept in class and has flaws in my own ways. Nobody’s perfect, but being imperfect does not mean that you do not aim for excellence,” she said.
“For as long as you’re doing your best in everything you do, that is excellence and cadets like us should always aim for that,” she added.
MARCH 6, 2017Philippine Military Academy “Salaknib”(Sanggalang ay Lakas at Buhay Na Alay Para sa Kalayaan ng Ibang Bayan) Top 10: (From front row, center) Topnotcher, Cadet First Class Rovi Mairel Martinez, of Cabanatuan City; (2nd row, Left) top 2, Cadet First Class Philip Viscaya, of Albay (2nd row, Right) top 3, Cadet First Class Eda Glis Marapao, of Baguio City; (3rd row, Left) top 4, Cadet First Class Cathleen Jovi Baybayan, of Pampanga; (3rd row, Right)top 5, Cadet First Class Carlo Emmanuel Canlas, of Pampanga; (4th row, Left) top 6, Cadet First Class Shiela Joy Jallorina,Nueva Vizcaya; (4th row, Right) top 7, Cadet First Class Sheila Marie De Guzman, of Pangasinan; (5th row, Left) top 8, Cadet First Class Joyzy Funchica, of Butuan City; (5th row, Right) top 9, Cadet First Class Resie Jezreel Hucalla, of Compostela Valley;(Last row, Left) top 10, Cadet First Class Catherine Mae Gonzales, of Zamboanga City; (Last row, center left) Athletic Saber awardee, Cadet First Class Franklin Dellomos, of Paranaque City; (Last row, center) Chief of Staff Saber Awardee, Cadet First Class Johnny Marohombsar III, of Iligan City; And (Last row, center Right) Journalism Award, Cadet First Class Michelle Calusor, of Naga City. PHOTO BY EV ESPIRITU / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON
Martinez, who hails from Cabanatuan City, also urged graduates to always remember the values they have learned from the academy in their decision making.
“May we bring with us the skills, values and character that the academy has instilled in us,” she said.
“Time will come that you will have to make a decision which will then change your life permanently,” she said.
In closing, Martinez made this vow:
“To the Filipino people, whom we have pledged to serve with honor and integrity, utang namin lahat ng ito sa inyo. We will strive to become the best officers who are worthy of your respect and trust;
“We vow as young leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to always serve you and our country with vigor and unwavering commitment. Sa buong sambayanang Pilipino, handa na po kaming magsilbi sa inyo.”
Martinez is the second woman cadet in the PMA to emerge as valedictorian.