Female cadet tops PMA Class of 2019

Cadet 1st Class Dionne Mae Apolog Umalla. Photo by EV Espiritu

FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY—- A female cadet from Ilocos Sur province has topped this year’s graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Cadet 1st Class Dionne Mae Apolog Umalla of Allilem Daya village in Alillem town leads the 263-strong PMA MABALASIK (Mandirigma ng Bayan, Iaalay ang Sarili, Lakas at Tapang, Para sa Kapayapaan) Class of 2019, and is among its five top ranking female cadets.

The graduating class has 73 female cadets. Members of the class will be commissioned as junior officers by President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday (May 26).

The eighth top cadet, Cdt 1CL Glyn Elinor Buansi Marapao of Buguias town in Benguet province, is the sister of Eda Glis Marapao who was the third top cadet of the PMA Salaknib Class of 2017.

Umalla is the fifth female cadet to graduate as PMA class valedictorian.

Umalla was a second year undergraduate taking up Education degree at the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities in the Batangas town of Tanauan when she decided to enter the PMA. She will be joining the Navy.

The 21-year-old top cadet will receive the Presidential Saber, Phil. Navy Saber, Distinguished Cadet Award, Academic Group Award, Humanities Plaque, Management Plaque, Social Sciences Plaque, Natural Science Plaque, Computing and Infomation Sciences Plaque, Jusmag Award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance, Spanish Armed Forces Award, and the Agfo Award.

Ranking second in the top 10 is C1C Jonathan Mendoza of Sangley Point, Cavite while C1C Jahziel Tandoc of La Trinidad, Benguet province placed third.

Following in rank are C1C Daniel Heinz Bugnosen Lucas of Barlig, Mt Province; Aldren Maambong Altamero of Kidapawan City; Richard Balanag Lonogan of Sagada, Mt Province; Marinel Dinihay Fundales of Leganes, Iloilo; and Marapao.

The rest of the top 10 cadets are C1C Ruth Angelique Ricardo Pasos of Pasig City; and Daryl James Jalgalado Ligutan of Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The other awardees are C1C Kimberly Joy Saliw-an Baculi of Tanudan, Kalinga and Nicolas Crisanto Raguine Guysayko of Naga City (who Will receive the Athletic Saber Awards); C1C Geoffrey Ortega Valdez of Davao City (Journalism Award); and C1C Jesriel Alvendia Calimag of Quezon City (Chief of Staff Saber).  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)