Though considered as a male-dominated course and job, the Philippine Military had its highest number of female graduates for 81 years and some of them marched during the graduation ceremony last March 18, Sunday.
President and Commander-in-Chief Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the commencement exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘Alab Tala’ (Alagad ng Lahing Binigkis ng Tapang at Lakas) Class 2018 at the Fort General Gregorio Del Pilar in Baguio City. A total number of 282 graduates and almost 27% are female cadets.
Lieutenant Colonel Rey Balido, PMA spokesperson expressed his surprise as the number of female cadets who will graduate this year increases from 63 female cadet graduates last year.
“Siguro ang kakaiba lang ditto ay mas marami yung babae (ngayon) kaysa yung babae last year. 75 nga ito. So far ito na yung pinakamaraming graduate na babae.”
One of 75 female cadet graduates is Meriam Libongcogon who really caught the attention of many.
The 25-year-old graduate hailed from Cebu has a story to tell and will surely inspire others in reaching their dreams. Meriam work as a household helper to support her studies.
In fact, she graduated as valedictorian when she was in elementary and was a scholar during her high school days. With the same story with students who struggled financially, she was forced to work just to finance her study in college. However, her body took the toll, and it was the reason why she needs to stop studying.
According to InfactBuzz, she moved to Baguio City after leaving her job in Cebu as a housemaid. She was introduced to her current foster parent named Nany Rose. Nany was the one who urged Meriam to study in Philippine Military Academy where she graduated as a Second Lieutenant. According to Meriam, she also dreams to enter and join the Philippine Navy soon.
Meriam proves nothing hinders a person in achieving his or her dream aside from his or her self. From being a housemaid, she now a PMA graduate.
President Duterte gives advice to new graduates, as he said that they should brace for complex realities and they should be ready to sacrifice everything for their country when they face different threats like the war on illegal drugs and terrorism.
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