New Generation of Heroes: 266 PMA Cadets March into Service as Siklab Laya Class of 2025 Graduates

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) Siklab Laya Class of 2025 on Saturday, marking a historic milestone for the country's premier military institution. The ceremony celebrated not only the academic and military achievements of the 266 graduates but also the inspiring story of Cadet First Class Jessie Ticar, the class valedictorian and one of the rare Summa Cum Laude awardees in PMA history.

Ticar, whose roots trace back to a humble family in Quezon City his mother a market vendor and his father a taxi driver stood proud as he received the Presidential Saber, Philippine Army Saber, Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group Saber, and the Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award. He is only the fourth cadet in the academy’s long and storied history to graduate with the highest Latin honors.

The Siklab Laya Class of 2025 is the first PMA class to undergo part of their training on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, highlighting their preparedness to defend national sovereignty in the country’s most contested waters.

Out of the 266 graduates, 137 will join the Philippine Army, 71 will serve in the Philippine Navy, and 54 will enter the Philippine Air Force. The distribution reflects the strategic priorities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines amid evolving national defense challenges.

In his keynote address, President Marcos commended the graduates for their grit, discipline, and patriotism. “Serve with honor and integrity. Let your sworn duty to the Republic be your guiding light in every mission,” he said, urging the young officers to embody the highest ideals of public service.

The President also lauded the resilience of the Siklab Laya Class, who trained under difficult conditions including deployments in remote and strategic territories. “Your class represents the future of our armed forces resolute, capable, and unafraid,” he added.

For Cadet Ticar, the honor is not just a personal victory but a symbol of hope. “This is for my parents and every Filipino who believes that poverty is not a hindrance to success,” he said in an emotional interview after the ceremony.

The graduation of the Siklab Laya Class of 2025 stands as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of education, discipline, and service. As these new officers step into their roles, they carry the hopes of a nation and the legacy of those who came before them.