President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. awards the Presidential Saber Award to Cadet First Class Jeneth Elumba, valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 at the  PMA Grandstand, Fort del Pilar, Baguio City on May 18, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool

MANILA -- A medical challenge during her cadetship did not stop Cadet 1CL Lt. Jeneth Elumba of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte from emerging as the topnotcher of the Philippine Military Academy Bagong Sinag Class of 2024.

The daughter of a farmer and a barangay official, the 24-year-old Elumba graduates magna cum laude from the PMA. She previously studied at the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College.

It was not an easy journey for Elumba, who had to undergo surgery during her stint at the PMA.

"Mahirap lalo na sa females, kailangan namin 'yung physical attributes, capabilities para mag keep up sa standard ng PMA," Elumba said. "Pero binibigyan kami ng training para i-develop 'yung physical abilities namin."

"'Yung masasabi kong nahirapan talaga ako, 'yung time na na-operahan ako noong third year ako dito sa academy," she added. "I was not able to do physical activities for almost a year; malapit na akong ma-discharge due to medical reasons."

[It's tougher for females, because we need the capabilities and attributes to meet the PMA's standards. We were trained to develop physical abilities. It was especially hard for me when I had to have surgery in my third year at the academy. I was almost discharged for medical reasons.]

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Elumba now credits her faith, her classmates, and her adviser that she was able to finish as the topnotcher despite the odds. And while the COVID-19 pandemic was a bane to the rest of the world, it was a boon to their class as the PMA essentially served as a bubble that allowed them to carry on.

"Siyempre the help of the Lord, yung mga mistah ko or classmates, class adviser ko, nakahabol ako sa academics, sa physical," she said. "'Yun 'yung nag-suporta sa akin tapos, tumulong sa akin."

"To be honest, 'yung pandemic, disadvantage talaga kasi nangyari sa buong Pilipinas, sa buong mundo. Pero noong pagpasok ko sa PMA, it was actually our advantage. Kasi dito, continuous kaming pumapasok sa Melchor Hall or sa academic building namin, kung ikukumpara sa labas na online classes lang sila," she explained. 

[With the help of God, my classmates and my adviser, I was able to catch up. They supported me and helped me. To be honest, the pandemic was a disadvantage to the Philippines and to the whole word, but it was an advantage to us here in the PMA. While others were only attending classes online, we were able to have face-to-face classes in our academic building.]

She never thought she would finish at the top of her class, for which she is very thankful.

"Hindi ko naisip (na maging topnotcher) kasi pagpasok ko, yung ginawa ko lang enjoyin yung cadetship, gawin lang yung mga trabaho as cadet," Elumba said. "Kasi 'yung mga naranasan ko dito sa loob, hindi ko naranasan sa labas -- 'yung binibigyan kami ng uniform, 'yung pinapakain kami tatlong beses sa isang araw."

"I am actually blessed. I was grateful sa Panginoon, kasi alam ko talaga na Siya naman ang nagbigay nito," she added.

[I never thought I would become the topnotcher. I just enjoyed my cadetship and did my work as a cadet, because the experiences here are unique to the PMA. I am blessed and grateful, because this is a gift from God.]

Elumba says she did not tell her parents of her feat, but she believes she has made them proud. Her father, in particular, lets his action speak for him.

"Wala siyang sinasabi. Parang through 'yung actions, 'yung pag tap sa likod ko. 'Di masyadong expressive, pero alam ko, proud naman siguro 'yung parents ko sa akin," she said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. awards the Presidential Saber Award to Cadet First Class Jeneth Elumba, valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 at the  PMA Grandstand, Fort del Pilar, Baguio City on May 18, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool

Elumba also gets the Presidential Saber, Philippine Army Saber, JUSMAG Saber, Australian Defense Best Overall, Performance Award for the Army, Tactics Group Award and Army Professional Plaque.

She has elected to join the Philippine Army.

"They are the frontliners," she explained. "I have also seen how they bond with their fellows, their camaraderie towards each other. My squad leaders primarily influenced me to join the Army."

While she is certainly not the first Filipina to top a PMA graduating class, she hopes there will be more to follow.

"Para sa mga aspirants na gustong pumasok ng PMA, ang masasabi ko lang, if I can do it, so can you," Elumba said. "Hindi hindrance ang pagiging babae."

"Mabibigyan kayo ng equal opportunity para mag-excel at para mag-lead sa cadet corps or to hold a leadership position," she added. "Galing lang po ako sa simpleng pamilya, sa simpleng lugar sa Surigao City, pero nakayanan kong pumasok ng PMA, at nag-pursigido akong mag-aral at gawin 'yung mga aktibidad dito sa academy."

"Through the guidance of the Lord, nakuha ko ang pagiging one of the top performing cadets dito sa academy. So kung kaya po ko po, mas lalong kayang-kaya niyo."

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This year's PMA graduating class has 278 cadets -- 224 males, and 54 females. From this batch, 114 males and 29 female graduates will go to the Army, 50 males and 12 females are headed to the Air Force, and 59 males and 14 females have elected to join the Navy. 

Cadet 1CL Mark Armuel Boiles from Quezon City is the top two graduate, and has elected to go to the Air Force. He will receive the Vice-Presidential Saber, the Philippine Air Force Saber,  Academic Group Award, Management Plaque, Air Force Professional Courses Plaque, General Antonio Luna Award, Australian Defense Best overall and Performance Award for the Air Force.

Cadet 1CL Kim Harold Gilo, Magna Cum Laude from Butuan City  is in 3rd place. He gets the SND Saber, Philippine Navy Saber, Australian Defense Bet Overall, Performance Award for the Navy and Natural Sciences Plaque.

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