At a young age, Krystlenn Ivany Quemado had been exposed to the life of a soldier since her father, Nicolas, is a Philippine Army personnel. So it is no surprise that this inspired her to follow the footsteps of her father in the uniformed service.
Now at 22 years old, Quemado is surely starting to realize her dreams as she finally graduated at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City on Sunday, May 15, with flying colors.
Quemado emerged as the class valedictorian of the 214-strong PMA “BAGSIK-DIWA” (Bagong Sibol Kinabukasan Didigma Hanggang sa Wakas) Batch 2022.
“At a very tender age, I saw reality when I visited one of the camps in Mindanao, where my father used to be assigned,” Quemado said in her valedictory speech, recalling a memorable trip with Colonel Quemado, who now serves as the Inspector General of the Philippine Army. On the other hand, her mother, Loveleih, is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the Notre Dame of Marbel University.
“It was there that I saw the adversities of life, the modest life of the nearby communities, and the plight of the lowly soldiers who gave up the simple comforts of life,” she added.
Inspired by what she saw at the camp visit, Quemado then decided to pursue her dream of being in the military service in 2018. Four year since then, Quemado is now reaping all the perseverance and hardwork that she sowed.
“I knew I wanted to serve our people in whatever capacity I could, and simultaneously, I felt I was one with the soldiers. I felt their agony – of both sides wanting to have a better life. Somehow, I thought I had the best opportunity, that I could maximize my potential and utilize my capabilities for a more significant cause,” she said.
Amid the glitz and glamour brought by her recent feat, Quemado acknowledged the challenges and difficulties that the Filipino people face nowadays.
She then urged her fellow PMA graduates and the youth to be the catalysts for change by finding their purpose in life and using that to serve the nation.
“Now is our time to offer our contributions. As we are commissioned into the Armed Forces of the Philippines, may each and every one of us never get tired of working in our own small ways for the betterment of our people and our country,” she said.
“I send the same message to our fellow youth. You, too, have big roles to play. May you find the core foundation of your purpose in life. If you have found it, hold on to it. Dream high. Fight for it,” she continued.
“Be determined and strong to overcome the challenges. Your dreams and aspirations for our country are as important as ours. We and the rest of your AFP cannot do this all alone. What we can do is nothing compared to what we can do together,” she noted.
Quemado, who will join the Philippine Navy, is the seventh female valedictorian in the PMA history. The PMA started accepting female cadets in 1993.
During the graduation ceremony, the Koronadal City, South Cotabato-native received numerous sabers and recognitions including the Presidential Saber, Philippine Navy Saber, Jusmag Saber, Australian Defence Best Overall Performance Award, Spanish Armed Forces Award, Agfo Award, Academic Group Award, Humanities Plaque, Management Plaque, Social Sciences Plaque, and Navy Professional Courses Plaque.
Other cadets included in the Top 10 were Kevin John Pastrana from Baguio City; Ian Joseph Bragancia from Iloilo; Faithe Turiano from Camarines Sur; Yyoni Xandria Marie Tiu from Davao City; Jake Anthony Mosquera from North Cotabato; Jesie Mar Frias from Antipolo City, Rizal; Elvin John Oyo-a from Butuan City; Nerfa Minong from Zamboanga City; and Criselle Jane Rico from Zamboanga City.