Pres. Aquino to grace PMA graduation rites on March 13

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 12): Pres.  Aquino to grace PMA  graduation rites on March 13

President Benigno Aquino III will lead the 111th graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City on Sunday, March 13.

The President is expected to arrive at the PMA at 9:00AM and will be given the traditional arrival honors at the Sundial Area by the PMA officers and cadets led by PMA Superintendent Major General Donato San Juan II. He will then proceed to the Fajardo Grandstand for the graduation rites.

Aquino will award the diplomas of the 63-strong cadets belonging to the Gabay-Laya (Gintong Anak ng Bayan, Alay ay Buhay Para sa Kalayaan) Class of 2016.

Gabay-Laya composed of 56 male and seven female cadets, is acknowledged as the smallest number of graduates in 40 years or since the 1970s.

San Juan said there were 123 members of the class who entered in 2012, but only 50 made it to graduation day. The surviving members are joined by 13 “turnbacks,” a PMA term for cadets belonging to previous classes.

The class is led by a Cadet First Class Kristian Daeve Abiqui, an Ybanag from San Pablo, Isabela. He is a turn back from PMA “Sinag Lahi” Class of 2015 due to an ailment.

Abiqui will receive the Presidential Saber from the President Aquino during the graduation rites. He will also be receive the Philippine Navy Saber, Academic Group Award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, Humanities Plaque, Mathematical Plaque, Natural Sciences Plaque, Navy Professional Courses Plaque and Gen. Antonio Luna Award.

The class salutatorian is the lone lady cadet in the top 10, Cadet First Class Christine Mae Naungayan Calima of Bolinao, Pangasinan.

She will receive the Vice Presidential Saber from Vice President Jejomar Binay. She is also a recipient of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Saber, Tactics Group Award, Australian Defense Best Over-All Performance (Air Force) Management Plaque, Social Sciences Plaque, Department of Tactical Officers Plaque, Department of Leadership Plaque, Air Force Professional Courses, Aguinaldo Saber, Spanish Armed Forces Award, Association of Generals and Flag Officers Award.

CDT 1CL Arby Jurist Azman Cabrera from Cauyan, Isabela is Top 3.  The 21 year old will receive the Secretary of National Defense Saber Award. He will join the Philippine Air Force.

Cordilleran cadets, Joseph Stalin Abara Fagsao of Bontoc, Mountain Province and Maddela, Quirino and Jayson Jess Ananayo Tumitit of Baguio City  are the Top 4 and 5 of the class, respectively.

Fagsao  will receive the Philippine Army (PA) Saber for being the No. 1 graduate in his chosen branch of service while Tumitit will join the Philippine Navy.

Fagsao is also a recipient of the Australian Defence Best Overall Performance Award (Army), Computing and Information Sciences Plaque and Army Professional Courses Plaque.

Others in the Top 10 are Mark Joseph Cabanit Daria (6th) of Bangar, La Union; Ace Uy Clarianes (7th) of Libmanan, Camarines Sur; Prince Regodon Aday (8th) of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur;  George Bernard de Guzman Garcia (9th) of Labrador, Pangasinan, and  Gerald Manio Gasacao (10th) of Meycauayan, Bulacan.

This will be the last PMA graduation to be attended by President Aquino as the Commander-in-Chief.

After the graduation rites, the President will host the traditional Merienda Cena of the PMA graduates at the Mansion at 2:00PM.

At 5:00PM, the President is scheduled to join Liberal Party candidates, former Secretary Mar Roxas and his running mate, Leni Robredo, and Baguio City Congressman Nicasio Aliping in   meeting with local officials and the community at the PFVR Gym along Upper Session Road, Baguio City.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/41457711496/pres-aquino-to-grace-pma-graduation-rites-on-march-13