Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 12) — A daughter of a teacher and an army officer has been named valedictorian of the graduating class of the Philippine Military Academy this year.
Cadet First Class Krystlenn Quemado will receive the Presidential Saber from President Rodrigo Duterte during the commencement exercises of the PMA Bagong Sibol Kinabukasan Didigma Hanggang sa Wakas (Bagsik Diwa) in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City on May 15.
“I’m very happy and excited that I will be receiving the Presidential Saber and I will be meeting our President, his excellency, President Rodrigo Duterte, especially that we are from the same island, from Mindanao,” the 21-year-old cadet from South Cotabato told CNN Philippines’ New Day on Thursday.
“I am just happy and I am hoping he is also proud of me and what I have also achieved,” he added.
Quemado proudly shared how she endured the same training that her male counterparts did when she entered the PMA. She noted that the academy does not treat its cadets differently according to gender.
“The Philippine Military Academy is gender bias-free and the training that we had, we experienced the same with our male counterparts, male classmates. We have the same requirements, the same standards and the same type of assessments that we have to undergo,” she said.
The 214-strong members of PMA Bagsik-Diwa Class of 2022 is composed of 165 men and 49 women.
Dean Loveleih Quemado, a teacher at the Notre Dame of Marbel University, shared that she did not expect that her daughter would decide to enter the PMA.
“When she (Krystlenn) told me that she would join the noble service of arms, I did not say no. I just allowed her to pursue her dreams because I know she was influenced by the service and the hard work her father has already manifested in the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” she said.
Col. Nicolas Quemado, Inspector General of the Philippine Army, said Krystlenn has three other siblings, and the youngest one will also likely enter the PMA.
Krystlenn will be among the 57 who will go to the Philippine Navy after graduating. There will be 104 from the class who will join the Philippine Army, while 53 will enter the Philippine Air Force.
“I believe that wherever I will be assigned, I will do my best in my duties, and I will grow where I will be planted,” she said.
Her advice to the youth: In everything you do, do it with love and passion.
“Keep the passion burning in your heart so you may continue in the end and be successful in your endeavor,” Krystlenn added.
Other members of the top PMA graduates this year include:
– Kevin John Pastrana (Baguio City)
– Ian Joseph Bragancia (Iloilo)
– Faithe Turiano (Camarines Sur)
– Xandria Marie Tiu (Davao City)
– Jake Anthony Mosquera (North Cotabato)
– Jesie Mar Frias (Antipolo City, Rizal)
– Elvin John Oyo-a (Butuan City)
– Nerfa Minong (Zamboanga City)
– Criselle Jane Rico (Zamboanga City)
“The Top Performing Cadets are diverse. It is comprised of five female cadets and five male cadets. They came from different parts of the Philippines with other religions and ethnicity but with the shared goal of serving their country as brave and valiant soldiers,” the PMA said in a statement on Tuesday. “This is a testament that every cadet is given equal opportunities regardless of their different beliefs and upbringing.”
