Faces of the News: Cadet First Class Rovi Mairel Martinez

Cadet First Class Rovi Mairel Martinez leads this year’s top ten cadets of the Philippine Military Academy Salaknib Class of 2017. Martinez ranked first, becoming the fourth female cadet to graduate at the top of the class. Photo by EV ESPIRITU / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

Her father dreamed of becoming a soldier when he was young. He went to several military camps to enlist, but he didn’t make the grade.

Years later, she’s now fulfilling his dream—and a lot more. Rovi Mairel is graduating at the top of the Philippine Military Academy Salaknib Class of 2017 today.

The fourth female cadet to top her class in the PMA, she will receive 11 awards, including the Presidential Saber and the Philippine Navy Saber.

She’s not alone; seven other female cadets are in the top 10.

Out of 167 members of the class, 63 are female.

As a yearling, she nearly called it quits in the face of the challenges that all plebes have to undergo at the academy. But she stood fast.

Not bad, not bad at all for the daughter of a frustrated soldier.