FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – A female cadet from Surigao City, Surigao del Norte topped this year’s graduating class of the Philippine Military Academy.

ELUMBA (Zaldy Comanda)

Magna cum laude Cadet First Class Jeneth B. Elumba, 24, ranked first among the 278 graduating cadets of the PMA Bagong Sinag (Bagong Henerasyong Gagampanan ang Tama: Serbisyo, Integridad, at Nasyonalismo ang Aming Gabay) Class of 2024.

Elumba said she was surprised by her achievement.

“I did not expect to be No.1 in the ranking, I just found out now, because when we were rehearsing before this press conference, we were not told who was in Top 10,” she said.

Elumba dedicated her achievement to her family.

“I was shocked, happy, and I know now that my family is also happy about what happened. I dedicate all of this to them, because they were my inspiration when I entered this academy." 

THE Top 10 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy Bagong Sinag Class 2024. They are (from left): No. 5 Rosemel Dogello, No. 4 Cyril Joy Male, No. 3 Kim Harold Gilo, No. 2 Mark Armuel Boiles, No. 1 Jeneth B. Elumba, No. 6 Alexa Maye Valen, No. 7 Floyd Nino Arthur Roxas, No. 8 Giselle Tong, No. 9 Danica Marie Viray, and No. 10 Neriva Binag. (Zaldy Comanda)

Elumba, who will join the Philippine Army, will receive the Presidential Saber Award from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., guest of honor and speaker, during the graduation rites here on May 18.

She will also be honored with the Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, Tactics Group Award, JUSMAG Saber Award, and Philippine Army Saber Award.

PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Rowen S. Tolentino said this year’s salutatorian is Cadet First Class Mark Armuel Boiles, 21, of Novaliches, Quezon City. Boiles, who will join the Air Force, will receive the Vice Presidential Saber Award, Academic Group Award, Management Plaque, Air Force Professional Courses Plaque, Gen. Antonio Luna Award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, and Philippine Air Force Award.

Rounding up the Top 10 are No. 3 Kim Harold Gilo, 21, of Villa Kananga, Butuan City, who will join the Philippine Navy; No. 4 Cyril Joy Masculino, 22, of Nabua, Camarines Sur, who will join the Army; No. 5 Rosemel Dogello, 21, of Jamindan, Capiz, who will join the Army;

No. 6 Alexa Maye Valen, 21, of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, who will join the Army; No. 7 Floyd Nino Arthur Roxas, 23, of Leganes, Iloilo, who will join the Navy; No. 8 Giselle Tong, 22, of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, who will join the Navy; No. 9 Danica Marie Viray, 23, of Pasay City, who will join the Army; and No. 10 Neriva Binag, 22, of Cabagan, Isabela, who will join the Navy.

Cadet First Class Joshua Adrianne Gonzales, 22, of South Cotabato, will receive the Chief of Staff Saber Award.

Seven cum laude cadets will also receive awards – Paula Joy Aviquivil of San Pablo City, Laguna; Mitzi Binamira of Santo Domingo, Albay; Jeenela Calumba of Binan City, Laguna; Ronald It-itan of Sabangan, Mountain Province; Matthew Echague of Legaspi City, Albay; Joenel Cabansay of North Cotabato, and Christian Nadunza, of Rodriguez, Rizal.

The PMA Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 has 224 males and 54 female cadets. One-hundred forty-four will join the Army, 62 in the Air Force, and 72 in the Philippine Navy.

One-hundred thirty of them are college graduates, 16 are undergraduates, and 132 are senior high school graduates.