TWO Igorota cadets to graduate with special awards from PMA “Talang Dangal” Class of 2026

Baguio City, Philippines – Two lady cadets from the Cordillera region are among the special awardees in the upcoming Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Talang Dangal” Class of 2026 on May 16.

On May 6, the PMA presented its top-performing graduates and special awardees during the “Kapihan sa PMA 2026” with PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia PN at Fort General Gregorio H. del Pilar in Baguio City.

Among the cadets receiving special citations are two daughters of the Cordillera region: Cadet 1CL Iway Inchan Ateo-an of Bontoc, Mountain Province, and Cadet 1CL Adriane Faith San Jose of La Trinidad, Benguet. Ateo-an is set to receive the Journalism Award, while San Jose will be conferred the Superintendent’s Saber.

Speaking to the media, the two cadets revealed that they were both inspired by their respective fathers, who are retired police officers. For San Jose, she recalled how her father constantly encouraged her and boosted her morale throughout her stay in the academy.

“Originally, wala talaga yung PMA sa plano ko sa career ko. However, due to my father, my father inspired me to enter this academy … yung statement niya na ‘Anak kaya mo yan. Anak gawin mo lang yung makakaya mo.’ Yun yung nagdala sa akin from first year hanggang ngayon. That’s what kept me going until the end,” San Jose shared.

For Ateo-an, who said her father’s dream of becoming part of the military was fulfilled through her, she believes that joining the PMA was her calling.

“What inspired me to be a PMA cadet, aside from my father’s wish or dream to become a military na tinupad ko rin, it’s a calling for me. I was one of those youth na naghahanap ng purpose in life. And I believe PMA called for me,” she expressed.

San Jose and Ateo-an will conclude their four-year journey at the country’s premier military academy together with 205 other cadets.