Despite the challenges in academic and in the life of a graduating military cadet, Janrey Artus made sure that he remains in his focus of doing his best to meet the expectations of his family, his kababayan in San Enrique town of Negros Occidental, and the Filipino people who sponsored his four-year stay at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

And he did it as he got the highest Latin honors, summa cum laude, and was ranked valedictorian of the PMA Masaligan Class of 2021.

In the Kapihan sa PMA forum held in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City on Monday, May 3, Artus said that the past school year inside the Academy was extra challenging due to the restrictions brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Since last year when the government first recorded the local transmission which resulted in the lockdown on March 15, Adjustments were made to minimize face-to-face classes as virtual classes were implemented for the first time inside the Academy, according to Colonel Jose Demar Pauly, head of the PMA academic group.

Even the PMA was not spared as several cadets fell ill due to COVID-19, forcing PMA to close its walls to visitors. The graduation ceremony on May 10 will likely be closed even to the families of the graduating cadets, like what was done last year.

But Artus said that the same predicament he experienced inside the Academy made him realize the importance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s role in the country's COVID-19 battle.

"The AFP is the protector of the people, our country, and our Constitution. They are combatting terrorism in all forms. But aside from that, the AFP can also conduct humanitarian assistance especially in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic," Artus said.

He said that young officers of the AFP, including them as would-be graduates, can help in the COVID-19 war by manning quarantine facilities and checkpoints across the country.

He also mentioned the utilization of the AFP's various land, naval, and air assets to deliver medical equipment and supplies to the different parts of the country.

"Some of these assets are being manned by the officers which include us, the new PMA graduates," Artus noted.

The class valedictorian added that young officers like him can also act as civil-military officers who are deployed in far-flung areas to connect with the people, inform them about the on-going health crisis, and help them avoid being infected by the coronavirus.

He said the military was crucial in the transport of relief goods for those affected by the pandemic lockdowns nationwide.

"These are just some roles that we can play as PMA graduates and I hope we can contribute to the development of the nation," he said.

At present, the PMA is now COVID-free after it implemented preventive measures to arrest the spread of the virus, the Academy said.

The PMA MASALIGAN Class of 2021 is composed of 138 males and 26 females. Among them, 82 are Army Cadets (Philippine Army), 46 are Midshipmen (Philippine Navy), and 36 are Aero Cadets (Philippine Air Force) who will be joining their respective branches of service as Lieutenants or Ensigns after their commencement exercises next week.

Who is cadet Janrey Artus?

Artus is part of the Echo company of the Cadet Corps of AFP (CCAFP).

Prior to entering the PMA, Artus took up Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas where he was a university scholar.

But Artus did not finish his course and chose to enter the PMA to pursue his dream of being a military officer.

After four years of intense training that challenged his physical and mental limits, Artus did not only reach his dreams, he also accomplished it with flying colors. He will join the Philippine Navy (PN) after their graduation.

As the class valedictorian, Artus will receive numerous awards including the Presidential Saber, the Philippine Navy Saber, Australian Defence Award, Spanish Armed Forces Award, Heneral Antonio Luna Award, and Academic Group Award.

He is also a recipient of the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) Award, Humanities Plaque, Department of Leadership Plaque, Mathematics Plaque, Computing and Information Sciences Plaque, Management Plaque, Natural Sciences Plaque, Social Sciences Plaque, and Navy Professional Plaque.

Top 10

Artus is followed by Cadet 1CL Daryl Brix Colita, 22, from Malalag, Davao del Sur, who is the Top 2 or salutatorian; Cadet 1CL Valerie Mae Dicang, 22, from La Trinidad, Benguet, who is the Top 3 or First Honorable Mention and magna cum laude; Cadet 1CL Jan Hernan Perez, 21, from Alabang, Muntinlupa City, who is the Top 4 or Second Honorable Mention; and Cadet 1CL Christine Joyce Andog, 22, from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, who is the Top 5 and a cum laude.

Rounding up the Top 10 are: Top 6 Cadet 1CL Feljoy Ending, 24, from Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental; Top 7 Cadet 1CL Harold Mars Sastado, 22, a cum laude, from Batangas City, Batangas; Top 8 Cadet 1CL Pamela Calleja, 23, from Malinao, Albay; Top 9 Cadet 1CL Michael Anegelo Madriaga, 23, from Tabuk City, Kalinga; and Top 10 Cadet 1CL Shirley Fatime Lim, 24, a cum laude, from Tacloban City.

Aside from them, the PMA also recognized six cadets who were bestowed with special awards for their exemplary performance in both military science courses and academic courses.

They are CADET 1CL Jaevin Latugan and Cadet 1CL Lady Deane Sarmiento, the male and female recipients of the Athletic Saber Award; Cadet 1CL Kevin Babaran, the Aguinaldo Saber Awardee; Cadet 1CL Joel Bacani, the Sports and Physical Development Plaque; Cadet 1CL Mae Pearl Agustin, the Military Justice Awardee; and Cadet 1CL Annie Chen, the Journalism Awardee.