She Refused to Quit: Tanudan's Jinky Sallaya becomes Cordillera's lone female PMMA graduate

FEATURE

TANUDAN, Kalinga — From the quiet mountain village of Mangali in Tanudan to the demanding halls of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), Probationary Ensign Jinky Balonggay Sallaya has charted a course that few have dared to take.

When she marched with the PMMA Salighirang Class of 2026, Sallaya was more than a graduate. She became the only female graduate from the Cordillera Administrative Region in her class—a distinction earned through years of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering determination.

In a profession long dominated by men, Sallaya proved that courage is not measured by gender but by the willingness to press on when the journey becomes difficult.

A dream forged through adversity

For Sallaya, graduating from one of the country's most prestigious maritime academies was never guaranteed.

Behind the proud salute and crisp white uniform was a young woman who endured financial hardship, personal loss, and countless moments of self-doubt.

Her mother, Mary, is a housewife, and supporting her education was a constant struggle for the family. The burden became even heavier after her parents separated and her father passed away in 2020.

Instead of allowing those hardships to define her future, Sallaya turned them into motivation.

She credits her mother, her grandmother Cecilia, and members of the Balonggay family for standing beside her from the day she applied to PMMA until the day she graduated.

Their sacrifices became the fuel that kept her moving forward whenever giving up seemed easier.

The last one standing

When Sallaya entered PMMA in 2022 at the age of 19, she was not alone.

Four young women from the Cordillera entered the academy together, each carrying dreams of serving the country.

As the months passed, however, one by one the others left.

Eventually, Sallaya found herself standing alone.

"I entered in 2022... I was 19 back then. Actually apat kami noon na babae pero maymaysak lang nga nabatin idiay nga from Cordillera. After diyay ket I have doubted myself... baka hindi na to para sa akin," she recalled.

There were days when she questioned whether she belonged.

Yet instead of surrendering to uncertainty, she chose to take another step forward.

Then another.

And another.

Four years later, those steps led her to the graduation stage.

A path she never planned

Ironically, becoming a merchant marine officer was never part of Sallaya's original dream. She had wanted to study Architecture.

She admitted knowing very little about PMMA—or even other military academies—before friends encouraged her to take the entrance examination. Among her group of friends, she believed she knew the least about the academy.

In the end, she was the one who completed the journey.

Her story is proof that sometimes the greatest opportunities begin with a single decision to try.

Among Sallaya's notable achievements are earning Rank 4 in the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps Unit (NROTCU), and receiving the Best in Research in Marine Engineering award, demonstrating her ability to excel in both academic and leadership responsibilities.

These accomplishments were given during their graduation, further exemplifying  her dedication to excellence, technical expertise, and leadership potential in the field of marine engineering.

Strength beyond the classroom

Admission to PMMA is highly competitive, with thousands of applicants vying each year for only a limited number of slots.

Those who are admitted undergo four years of military discipline, academic instruction, and physically demanding training before eventually serving aboard ships in local and international waters.

For Sallaya, however, the greatest challenges extended beyond physical endurance.

She recalled experiencing harassment and disrespect from some foreign crew members during their shipboard training overseas.

Rather than breaking her spirit, those experiences strengthened her resolve. She said the academy taught her discipline, resilience, and self-respect, equipping her to face adversity with confidence.

Equally meaningful to her was the support she received from her fellow cadets.

Despite being one of the few women in training, she said her male classmates treated her with respect and looked after her throughout their years in the academy.

A message for every young woman

Looking back, Sallaya hopes her story reaches young people across the Cordillera—especially girls who hesitate to pursue careers traditionally associated with men. She encourages them not to let fear or self-doubt decide their future.

"Kadagitoy kailyan tayo, haan kayo nga ag-doubt ti sarili yo nga mang-try... Ag-doubt ka talaga ti sarilim kasi part na diyay, ngem as day goes by metlang idiay uneg academy ket mabi-built metlang ti disiplin mo. Amin maadal met ketdi."

Her advice is simple but powerful: take life one day at a time:

"One step at a time. Hindi lahat ng oras hayahay, ngem kaylangan one day at a time talaga. Nu makaresign ka, bukas na lang. Nu makaresign ka manen sa kinabukasan, bukas na lang ulit, hanggang kinabukasan graduate na pala."

Those words reflect the very journey that brought her from the mountains of Kalinga to the ranks of the Philippine Navy.

A beginning, not the destination

Graduating from PMMA is not the end of Sallaya's story—it is only the beginning.

Now commissioned as a Probationary Ensign in the Philippine Navy, she looks forward to serving the country with honor, protecting its seas, and living out the values instilled in her throughout her years at the academy. Her journey has already left a lasting mark.

She may have stood alone as the Cordillera's only female graduate in the PMMA Salighirang Class of 2026, but her achievement sends a powerful message to every young Cordilleran who dreams beyond the familiar.

From a small mountain community in Tanudan emerged a woman who proved that determination knows no gender, that adversity can become strength, and that every dream begins with the courage to take the first step.

For the next young girl who dares to imagine herself wearing the same white uniform, Jinky Sallaya has already shown the way.