A resident of Barangay Burgos has brought honor to Cadiz City after being named one of the top graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Talang Dangal" Class of 2026, Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said on Monday, May 11, said. CDT 1CL Mark Clement Dequinto Centina ranked 10th in the graduating class, which is set to hold its commencement exercises on May 16. Escalante lauded Centina’s achievement stating that the 24-year-old exemplifies the city’s mantra of a "culture of compassion and a mindset for excellence." "Grit and discipline really propelled him to be at the PMA and to be one of the top cadets," Escalante said. "Truly, he is beyond inspiration." Centina’s journey to the academy involved significant sacrifice. He was a third-year Economics student at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) when he decided to leave his civilian studies to join the premier military institution. The son of a retired Philippine Army enlisted personnel and a sugarcane farm consultant, Centina credited his humble upbringing for the values that sustained him through the academy's rigors. He noted that his desire to serve intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as a student leader. "As a student leader, I saw how difficult the situation was for many Filipinos," Centina shared. "That was when my desire to serve became stronger." The transition to military life was demanding, particularly during his second year as a third-class cadet. Centina emphasized that the academy requires more than just physical or intellectual strength. "It is not enough to just be good, strong, or smart," Centina said. "You have to be able to do everything." He attributed his success to: · Discipline and Patience: Balancing academic excellence with military duties. · Leadership Development: Learning various techniques to apply in different situational contexts. · Support Systems: The encouragement of his family and his faith in God.
Upon graduation, Centina is set to join the Philippine Army.
While he admitted that reaching the Top 10 was unexpected, he expressed that his greatest reward is seeing his family's pride.
The Negros Occidental National Science High School (NOSHS) alumnus now hopes to inspire other young Filipinos to pursue the "PMA Challenge," regardless of their financial or social background.
"If I could do it, coming from a simple life and family, you can too," Centina said. "PMA did not teach me what is the best leadership style… it exposed me to various techniques. Most of all, we were able to hone our discipline at the highest level".*
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