Cadet First Class Tara Jaime Velazco, 21, is the second female cadet to best her "mistahs" at the PMA since the elite military school in Baguio City started accepting female cadets in 1993.
Former University of the Philippines-Baguio student, now Navy Ensign Arlene de la Cruz, graduated in 1997 as the first female PMA topnotcher.
While women protesters marched on the streets of Baguio City yesterday, Velazco was tongue-tied as journalists swarmed around her when she and other top 10 PMA graduates were presented to the press by PMA superintendent Maj. Gen. Edilberto Adan.
Velazco, a native of Camiling town in Tarlac, said she "really (doesn’t) want to make an issue" of the differences between men and women.
"I am very happy and proud, I’m actually tongue-tied at present. (But) I am very proud that a woman made it again," she said.
Adan, on the other hand, said Velazco’s achievements prove that female cadets are now on equal footing with their male classmates.
Velazco said she never dreamed of becoming a soldier — she wanted to become a commercial pilot — but will nevertheless join the Philippine Army.
Both Velazco and Cruz said they are willing to be deployed to wherever the country needs them, as are the men who were among the top 10 graduates this year.
"We have been prepared to face challenges," they said.
Velazco will receive the Presidential Saber and the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Achievement Award for Academic Excellence, to be awarded by President Arroyo herself.
The President will be the guest of honor and speaker during the graduation rites here on March 20.
Velazco will also receive the Philippine Army Saber award for topping her class in the Army branch. Cadets are divided into branches, depending on which arm of the military – the Navy, Army or Air Force – they choose to serve.
Velazco, born June 20, 1981, is the eldest of three siblings from a poor family in Tarlac. Her father, Rodel, is currently jobless while her mother, Helen, is a nurse working in Israel for the past eight years.
She said it was her faith in God, her strong determination and proper time management that made her succeed.
"Full time in service," she reiterated.
Velazco declined to answer if she had a boyfriend, chuckling, but vowed she won’t be a spinster.
"Amorous relationships in the Academy are absolutely not authorized," she said. "Besides, it’s too early."
Velazco said positive thinking helped her make her frustrations into a driving force to hurdle challenges sent her way – a perspective shared by last year’s PMA topnotcher, now 2 Lt. Charles Domingo, who is now a Marine.
Four female cadets are graduating this year.
Fifty-two out of the 102 graduating cadets will go into the Army, 22 to the Navy and 28 to the Air Force.
PMA Class of 2003 was originally composed of 314 cadets, including 21 females. Others will not march due to academic deficiencies and demerits.