Cadet First Class Jestoni Armand Lanaja, the eldest child of poor and landless family in Davao del Sur will graduate on March 17, as topnotcher of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "PUDANG-KALIS" Class 2013.
This year's class valedictorian will join the Philippine Army(PA)."PUDANG-SALI" means "Puso't Dagat ng Lahing Nagkakaisa."
Lanaja, in an interview, said his father is a "tuba" (coconut wine) gatherer as he cannot go into farming for having no land to till, while his mother is a housewife.
He said due to stark poverty, one of his brothers could only finish high school and that no proper medical assistance could be given to his disabled sister.
"I have to enter the academy because it offers free quality education aside from giving benefits. Of course, I became a cadet to serve my country and people," he said when asked why he entered the academy.
He added with his salaries, he can help his family financially.
Lanaja described his PMA four-year engineering course as rigid and tough but extensive to prepare the cadets for their future military careers as professional soldiers.
Lanaja being the top cadet of his class was confirmed by Lt. Gen. Ireneo Espino, PMA superintendent. Espino said that by tradition, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), will be the guest of honor and speaker.
Meanwhile, other top 10 graduating first class cadets are Mary Ann Balais, second placer, native of La Trinidad, Benguet and who will join the Philippine Navy (PNA); Poland Ancheta Banacua, third placer; Jessie Saludo of Cavite, fourth placer; Jocelyn Advincula, fifth placer and who will join the Philippine Air Force (PAF),John Luis Tulag of Agusan del Sur, sixth plcer; Ferdinand Villanueva of Villasis, Pangasinan, seventh placer; Vanessa Factora, eight placer; Jet Cabantura Domoclog, of Gattaran, Cagayan, ninth placer; and Myla Maniscan, tenth placer.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=505718
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