(UPDATE) FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — A female cadet from Lipa City, Batangas, has emerged as the valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Talang Dala” Class of 2026, who will graduate on May 16.
Cadet First Class Christine Kaye Demisana Librada, 23, a member of Delta Company and a future officer of the Philippine Army, led the 207 members of the graduating class through exemplary academic performance, leadership, military aptitude and character.
Librada, a recipient of the Presidential Saber, Philippine Army Saber, JUSMAR Saber, Information Technology plaque, Australian Defense Best Overall and Army Performance Award, is the daughter of a retired military officer and an entrepreneur.
Before entering the PMA, Librada studied at De La Salle University Manila and graduated with high honors.
Librada is the eighth female cadet to graduate as valedictorian since the academy opened its doors to female applicants in 1993.
Ranked second is Cadet 1CL Mark John Vincent Catacutan of Zamboanga del Sur, who will graduate magna cum laude and recipient of the Vice Presidential Saber, Philippine Air Force Saber, General Antonio Luna Award, Spanish Armed Forces Award, Alejandro Melchor Award and several academic distinctions.
Completing the top 10 graduates are Cadets 1CL Thomas Edgar Isla Sepulchre of Pampanga; Ian Harold Durana Hubilla of Sorsogon; Maeg Adriene Pajarillo Bermudez of Tarlac; Cherry Mae Panag Geco of Capiz; Elixa Anya Lumbang Hernandez of Batangas; Catherine Liesha Beloa De Chavez of Batangas; Cedric Cyril Guingguing Polizon of Surigao del Sur; and Mark Clement Dequinto Centina of Negros Occidental.
The academy also recognized other outstanding cadets for excellence in journalism, athletics, leadership, mathematics, tactical performance and character development.
Among the special awardees are Cadet 1CL Iway Inchan Ateo-an of Mountain Province for the Journalism Award; Cadet 1CL Adriane Faith Pe San Jose of Benguet for the Superintendent’s Saber; and Cadet 1CL Elaine Ruth Sunico Go of Leyte and Cadet 1CL Kairan Shem Flor Resurreccion of Bukidnon for the Athletic Sabers in the female and male categories, respectively.
The 207 graduating cadets is composed of 142 males and 65 females, of which 76 will join the Army; 62, the Air Force; and 69, the Navy.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is expected to grace the graduation ceremony as guest of honor and speaker, together with ranking military officials, police leaders and foreign defense attaches.
