Cordilleran Pride: 4 exceptional PMA cadets shine bright with honors

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Four cadets from the Cordillera region wrapped up their four-year journey at the premier military institution in the Philippines with honors.

The four graduated along with 274 other cadets of the Philippine Military Academy ‘Bagong Sinag’ Class of 2024 at the Fort General Gregorio Del Pilar in Baguio City this Saturday, May 18.

These Cordilleran cadets with honors are 2LT Ronald It-itan of Sabangan; 2LT Samuel Alduos Gloria of Baguio City; 2LT Jake Matiw of Bontoc, Mountain Province; and 2LT Zita Dewi Nirvana Messakaraeng of Tabuk City.

It-itan, 22, finished his four years at the academy as Cum Laude. Graduating with an award is not new to him as he completed his senior high school at the Cordillera Regional Science High School with honors. The 22-year-old is set to serve in the Philippine Air Force.

As for Gloria, 24, he received the Chief Justice Saber award and was cited for being a Dean’s Lister for the second term of academic year 2023-2024.  Just like It-itan, he also had honors in high school and was on the dean’s list in college at Saint Louis University. He will be serving in the Philippine Army.

Other award bagged by a Cordilleran was the Athletic Saber which was given to Matiw, 25. This awardee also finished high school with honors and was on the dean’s list at the University of Baguio in college. He will be joining the Philippine Army.

Moreover, this year’s Humanities Plaque was snatched by Messakaraeng, 21. Apart from this, she was also among the Course Excellence awardees where she was cited in Physical Development and Geopolitics; and was named Dean’s List for 2023-2024 second term and Commandant’s List for the third term.

The 21-year-old who finished high school with honors will be serving in the Philippine Air Force.

These four cadets are among the 29 PMA 2024 graduates who hail from the Cordillera region.