Orphan from Zambo tops PMA Baghawi class

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – An orphan from Zamboanga City is this year’s valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy’s Baghawi Class composed of 197 men and 23 women. Cadet First Class Ariel G. Rallos of Limon Drive, Canelar Triplett in Zamboanga City will receive the Presidential Saber Award, PGMA Achievement Award for Excellence, Philippine Navy Sword, Jusmag Award and five other citations and plaques during PMA’s graduation rites on March 18. Rallos, 26, lost his father to leukemia when he was still in high school. His mother died in 2005 when he was already at the academy. “Dedication and the will to excel are what brought me here," he said in an interview. “It was really my dream to become a soldier," he said adding, “I think I can better serve the country as a soldier." He said his late father and the Rallos family were great admirers of “men in uniform." On the day he was named this year's PMA class valedictorian, Rallos said his 28-year-old sister, Hazel, was graduating at the Naval Officers Candidate Course in Zambales as an ensign. “She will join me as an Ensign," he said. Rallos said it was "the happiest day" in his life, but lamented that his parents were no longer around to see him and his sister graduate. Rallos obtained his BS Physics diploma from the Western Mindanao University before entering the country’s premiere military academy. He taught for a year before taking the PMA entrance exams, and passed it. The 2006 top PMA graduate, Air Force Lt. Ariel Toledo of the Mandala Class, was also an orphan. Toledo himself died of liver last September. Six other Mindanaoans placed in the academy's Top 10. The Baghawi class salutatorian is Bernard Roderick Joaquin from Aguilar, Pangasinan. He will receive the Vice Presidential Saber and the Philippine Air Force Award for being the top Air Force recruit. “Baghawi" stands for “Bagong Halaw ng Lahi" or new breed of leaders. of this eyar's 220 graduates, 119 will be joining the Air Force, 51 will be assigned to the Army and 50, to the Navy. Third in the class is Me-Ann Sinson of Ligao City, Albay, the only woman cadet in the Top 10. She is joining the Air Force. Dennis T. Legaspi of Zamboanga Sibugay is fourth, getting the Philippine Army Saber. After graduation, Rallos, Joaquin and Legaspi will pursue further studies in the United States as part of their Jusmag awards. Vergel Lacambra of Pagadian City comes fifth and Carlo Catalan of Dumaguete City is on the sixth place. Others in the top 10 are: Francisco Pondoyo Jr of Zamboanga del Sur; Marc Louis Parado of Baliuag, Bulacan; Dennis Moreno of Banga, South Cotabato; and, Vay Caballero of Cagayan de Oro City. PMA Superintendent Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Maligalig said the top graduates were chosen for their academic records as well as physical and sports training, military science training and character development program. - GMANews.TV