Three young men from Kalinga land in Top 10 of 2025 Philippine Coast Guard class

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Three sons of Kalinga did not only endure the rigorous training and education at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); they also rose above every challenge at the Regional Training Center in Aurora Province and graduated among the top of their class on December 9, 2025.

The three belong to PCG Class 113 “NASIGLAT-SALAKNIB”: ASN Richmond E. Fernando, who finished Top 4; ASN James Vandame M. Daus, Top 5; and ASN Melvin Neil B. Banggolay, Top 9. All three are from Tabuk City.

Together with their classmates and fellow iKalingas who are members of PCG Class 114 “SANGKADALIGTAN” from the Regional Training Center in La Union, the three top-performing coast guard graduates paid a courtesy visit to the Office of Provincial Governor James Edduba on December 18.

Topping was not on his bucket list

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Fernando shared that he did not expect to finish Top 4 in his class. He said he was fueled by his family’s support and sacrifices amid the challenges he faced at the training center, such as intense physical conditioning, lack of sleep, homesickness, and at times, hunger.

“My family inspired me, because their sacrifices and support remind me why I must stay strong and disciplined,” he said.

Fernando holds a MARINA license and was a dean’s lister while taking his degree in Marine Engineering.

Driven by eagerness to provide for his child

Daus, who also did not expect to graduate Top 5, said his main driving force during the intense training was his eagerness to provide for his 11-month-old baby.

“Familyk ken diay anak ko iti nang-inspire kanyak. Is-isipek, nu ag-give up nak, awan ited ko kasla kuma nga future na, nga mangpa-uskwela kanyana,” he shared.

When asked what contributed to his strong performance, Daus said he simply gave his best in every task and activity inside the training center.

Second time is the charm

Banggolay, meanwhile, revealed that he first applied to the Philippine Coast Guard during a recruitment drive at Kalinga State University in 2022 but was not admitted at the time. Despite the setback, he did not allow disappointment to deter him and tried again, eventually getting accepted in 2024.

Drawing from his experience, Banggolay encouraged aspiring members of the uniformed service who failed in their initial attempts not to lose hope and to keep striving for their goal.

“Nu in case man nga nag-apply kayo naminsan tapos haan kayo naala, haan kayo maawanan iti pag-asa wenno madismaya. Habang adda pagkakataon, try and try latta kasi haan met agpapada ti kwa. Nu man naala diay kadwam tapos sika iti haan nga naala, haan ka nga madismaya kasi adda iti sarili nga linya iti biyag; haan nga agpapada iti gasat,” he said.