The hard challenges in life he experienced as a son raised by a single parent in Naujan town of Oriental Mindoro apparently became the source of inspiration of Police Cadet Francis D. Geneta as he topped the 2023 graduating class of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
But even before he joined the PNPA, Geneta, 25, was already an academic achiever as he graduated magna cum laude for Bachelor of Science in Education major in Mathematics which he took at the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology-Main Campus.
“He was raised by a single parent. His mother, Mrs. Sanny de Leon Geneta, is a seamstress by profession,” PNPA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Gonzaga told the Manila Bulletin in an interview.
As the valedictorian of the Masidtalak Class of 2023, Gonzaga said Geneta will receive the Presidential Kampilan Awardee which is expected to be personally awarded by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
And as a top graduate who chose to join the Philippine National Police, Geneta will also receive the Chief PNP Kampilan Award.
PNPA Director Maj. Gen. Eric Noble said five female cadets also emerged as among the Top 10 of this year’s graduating class, including Jail Cadet Mary Louise M. Moyano from Gumaca town of Quezon who placed third in the ranking.
Moyano, who will join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, will receive the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Kampilan Award and the BJMP Kampilan Award. She will also be the recipient of the Servant Leadership Kampilan Award.
Police Cadet John Rafael S. Desiderio, from Cubao, Quezon City, ranked second and will receive the Vice President Kampilan Award, Best in Police Administration and Best Thesis award.
Fire Cadet Eden Jhun M. Santos, of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, will be awarded with the Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection Kampilan for being the top cadet who chose the fire bureau. He ranked fourth.
Completing the Top 10 are Police Cadet Clarie Gean L. Pambid, from Iguig town of Cagayan Valley, Rank 5; Police Cadet Gezelle N. Sadian, from Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, Rank 6; Fire Cadet Gillian T. Torlao, from Caloocan City, Rank 7; Police Cadet Jefferson S. Mamauag, from Cauayan City, Isabela, Rank 8; Police Cadet Patrick John D. Alabado, Rank 9; and, Police Cadet Kimberly Cruz, from Malabon City, Rank 10.
Torlao will also receive the Best in Forensic Science and Best in Laws and Jurisprudence awards.
Gonzaga said deliberations are still ongoing as to the number of cadets that will graduate this year.
“Amid the grim struggle of winning supremacy over oneself, they have displayed paramount competence and excellence both in tactics and in the field of academics,” the PNPA posted in its Facebook page during the announcement of the Top Ten of Masidtalak Class of 2023.
“These soon-to-be officers of the nation epitomize utmost determination, perseverance, and tenacity in performing their duties and responsibilities as cadets,” it added.