A female Army cadet from Lipa City, Batangas emerged as the top graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Talang Dangal” Class of 2026, marking another milestone for women in the country’s premier military training institution.
Cadet 1st Class Christine Kaye Demisana Librada led the 207-member “Tagapagtanggol Ng Lahing Dakila at Marangal” Class of 2026 during graduation rites held at Fort Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City.
Librada, 23, is set to be commissioned as a junior military officer after topping the class. She is the ninth female cadet to graduate as PMA class valedictorian since 1993. Before entering the academy, she also graduated with high honors from De La Salle University Manila.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete attended the ceremony, which also marked the commissioning of 76 new Army second lieutenants from the graduating class.
The newly commissioned Army officers were later honored during a reception dinner hosted by the Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
In his message to the young officers, Nafarrete reminded them that military leadership carries responsibilities far beyond the walls of the academy.
“Out there, your mistakes will no longer cost just demerits or touring hours. The penalties are much heavier. They may cost lives,” Nafarrete said.
The Army said the new officers completed training under PMA’s updated curriculum, which strengthened their capabilities in both traditional and non-traditional domains.
It also welcomed the new second lieutenants as part of the next generation of leaders expected to help the organization respond to modern warfare and support the Armed Forces’ shift toward external defense operations.