87 female cadets join PMA Class 2017

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 1): 87 female cadets join PMA Class 2017

Lt. Gen. Ireneo Espino, superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), led on Monday the incorporation rites of 267 fourth class cadets to the PMA Class of 2017.

The 2017 cadet corps has 180 male and 87 female members, so far the class with the most number of women.

The institution, known as the premier military school of Asia, started to accept female cadets in 1987 when the late President Corazon C. Aquino became the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The late president, also the first woman president of the Philippines, opened the academy to female cadets in recognition of women's capabilities.

Records show that a number of female cadets became topnotchers in their respective classes including 2nd Lt. Arlene de la Cruz who joined the Philippine Air Force.

In the recent commencement exercises with President Benigno S. Aquino III, a total of 17 female cadets graduated from the PMA "Pudang Kalis" Class 2013, with most of them landing at the Top 10 of their class with various awards in academics, military tactics, journalism and athletics.

Espino said that like their predecessors, Class 2017 will imbibe the honor code alongside the PMA motto of "Courage, Integrity, Loyalty."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=511890