Mayor lauds 2 Zamboangueños included in PMA’s Top 10 grads

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 10): Mayor lauds 2 Zamboangueños included in PMA’s Top 10 grads

ZAMBOANGA CITY-- Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has expressed jubilation as two Zamboangueños are included in the Top 10 of the Philippine Military Academy’s Sinag-Lahi Class of 2015.

They are Genesis Salvador Dizon of Barangay Sta. Maria, who will graduate Top 2 of the class and Steven Tali of Barangay Lower Calarian, Top 8.

The two are part of the 171 PMA cadets who will be graduating on March 15 in Camp del Pilar in Baguio City with President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III as the guest of honor.

“Zamboanga City is very proud to have two of its sons included in the Top 10 of the Sinaglahi PMA Class,” Salazar said with pride.

She expressed hope that their accomplishments will serve as inspiration to other young Zamboangueños to always aim for the best in everything they do.

“Our message to them is to live by courage, integrity and loyalty as Zamboangueños, to be courageous in meeting their assignments wherever they will be sent. We live in a community where peace and instability is a challenged, carry on as ambassadors of peace!” she said.

She noted that the life stories of two Zamboangueno PMA cadets are very inspiring.

Dizon, class salutatorian, was motivated to join the military by his father who served the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for many years.

Tali on the other hand, is the proud son of a fish vendor, who single-handedly sent his four children including Steven to school after his wife left him several years ago.

The class name Sinag-Lahi comes from the Filipino phrase “Sundalong Isinilang na may Angking Galing at Lakas, Handang Ipaglaban ang Bayan (Soldiers born with natural abilities and strength who are ready to fight for the country).”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=743214