A farmer's son, Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong, from Mabilong, Lubuagan, Kalinga is one of the three Cordilleran topnotchers of the 196 cadets who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Masidlawin" Class 2020. He ranks 6th.
Ladyong, who took the PMA entrance exam after completing Information Technology in 2016 at Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) admitted that he is not good at technical subjects but performs well in social and humanities subjects.
The Cordilleran wants to be a soldier of the country's Armed Forces to defend the people and the country. Becoming a peacemaker and to help his family as much as he could.
According to his father Chito, Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong entering the PMA was his personal choice.
Chito said Catabay did not think of quitting the Academy despite all the hardships and struggles that came while studying, instead he changed it into a good account to fulfill the dream of becoming a soldier.
Chito added that he is proud of his son who graduated from academia because his son always says that entering the PMA indicates all the difficulties a student can think about - training, lifestyle, barriers to academics and homesickness.
Meanwhile, his mother advised him to make good use of what he learned at the Academy and serve the public good, and also listen to the advice of his older brother Barabas, a police officer based in Quezon City.
Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong also urged the youth of Kalinga and the Cordillera to take up the PMA challenge and enroll in academia.
Aside from the full scholarship, fees and allowances, glory and honor, Ladyong said there are many good reasons why young people should choose to study at PMA. He added that this is the opportunity to have the best leadership training and the right place to bring out the best from their potential.
"Life in the academy is quite different from the outside. The academy takes good care of every cadet's health not only physically but also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. There is also no or very minimal discrimination inside regardless of gender, culture, religion or personality of the cadet. The academy is sort of a utopia wherein the living conditions are particularly good and ideal. However, living in the academy is not all about privileges, comfort and fun. Every day is a struggle offering different challenges in various faces".
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Other Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Masidlawin" Class 2020 topnotchers
Other Cordilleran topnotchers are Cadets First Class Rojes Gaile Jamandre from Lamut, Ifugao province, in fourth place, and Cadet First Class Jeb Bay-an from Kabayan, Benguet province, 5th place.
Leading the class is Cadet First Class Gemalyn Sugui, a graduate of economics management at the University of the Philippines in Baguio City.
The second rank cadet was Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva from Tacloban City, followed by Cadet First Class Jefferson Salazar from Zamboanga City, third; Cadet First Class Vanelyn Angel Tabao from Tuguegarao City, seventh; Cadets First Class June Giel Anne Factor from Piddig, Ilocos Norte province, eigth; Cadet First Class Rubenson Abgao of Baroy, Lanao del Norte province, ninth; and Dencel Aian Bayaca of Floridablanca, Pampanga province, 10th place.
Other cadets from Kalinga who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy class "Masidlawin".
- BANGGUIYAC, EMERSON DORPIS - Lubo, Tanudan - AIRFORCE
- DAPPAY, JEPESON ADDAMO - Lacnog, Tabuk City - AIRFORCE
- DIEZA, RENNZ CONRAD A. IV - Pinukpuk - NAVY
- EWOS, RHEDEN LAGUICAO - Mangali, Tanudan - ARMY
- FERNANDEZ, CHESTERLY BASILIO - Poblacion, Tinglayan - ARMY
- GAMMOD, MARTIN AMAGOD, JR. - Gaang, Tanudan - ARMY
- GOLWINGON, GIMALYN WANIGON - Lubo, Tanudan - AIRFORCE
- GUMILAB, REYNANTE TUGUIC - Ambato, Tinglayan - AIRFORCE
- LIMANGAN, JESSE WILL OSDEG - Lubuagan - ARMY
- LUGAO, ALVIN KINAO - Cabaruan, Tabuk City - ARMY
- SAYOD, IRWIN BITAO - Poblacion, Tinglayan - AIRFORCE
