‘I will return—ready to fulfill my duty, to serve and protect my country’ – 23-year-old soldier from Cagayan is second Filipino to earn Star Cadet Award in South Korea

Sto. Niño, Cagayan Valley – A 23-year-old cadet from Cagayan has brought pride not only to his family and community but also to the entire nation after becoming the second Filipino to receive the prestigious Star Cadet Award (SCA) at the Republic of Korea Military Academy (ROKMA) on March 20, 2026.

The SCA is among the highest honors at ROKMA, given to cadets who consistently excel in all aspects of training. It is comparable to the Starman Award of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), recognizing well-rounded and sustained excellence rather than performance in a single area.

Cadet 2nd Class Edmar James Ugali Abedes of Sto. Niño, Cagayan Valley, is originally a member of the PMA “Talang Dangal” Class of 2025 and was sent to ROKMA in 2023 under the Foreign Pre-Commissioning Institution program, where he is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Relations.

He was conferred the prestigious award, becoming the second Filipino recipient following the historic recognition of 2LT Guidson Domingo PA of North Cotabato in 2025.

The Second Filipino Star Cadet Awardee

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Abedes shared that he is currently in his third year of training and will remain in South Korea until 2028 as part of his cadetship.

Despite the challenges of studying and training abroad, the young cadet persevered through discipline and determination, emphasizing that his motivation stems from a deep sense of responsibility.

“When I arrived, I immediately thought it would be very challenging to adjust to the weather while undergoing training. I also anticipated that academics would be difficult since the Korean language is used. I had to learn and adapt quickly so I could communicate effectively and understand my academic subjects. Another challenge was adjusting to the culture—I needed to adapt to Korean customs and way of life. The weather was also difficult since Korea has four seasons,” he shared.

Abedes also expressed gratitude to his family and to God for guiding him throughout his journey, noting that the award is not a culmination but an inspiration to strive further.

The 23-year-old cadet vowed to return home prepared to serve the nation, saying, “After completing my training, I will return to the Philippines ready to fulfill my duty to serve and protect the country.”

Abedes’ Motivation and Message

When asked about his motivation and message to aspiring cadets, Abedes encouraged them to stay focused, give their best, and always remember the country they represent. He also urged them to be ready for the challenges and responsibilities ahead.

“I followed the saying, ‘live one day at a time.’ I kept moving forward and always gave my best. I reminded myself that I am not only representing myself but also my country… To everyone who aspires to become a PMA cadet, ask yourself: ‘Are you ready to take the challenge?’ If you believe you can endure and succeed, then take the path and be ready to take responsibility for your decision,” he said.

Abedes’ achievement highlights the growing presence of Filipino excellence in international military academies, bringing honor to the PMA, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the nation as a whole.