PMA Valedictorian Awarded with House and Lot by Duterte, Villar

PMA Valedictorian Jaywardene Galilea Hontaria was not only awarded as a valedictorian but also with a house and lot from the Philippine government. This is the first time a PMA graduate is given such a reward from a public official.

Photo from facebook.com/pmaalabtalaofficial

Based on the reports posted online, President Rodrigo Duterte has presented the award to the cadet who is the top student out of the 282 mistahs of 2018's "Alab Tala" class. The awarding ceremony happened today, March 18, 2018, at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City.

The certificate of ownership for the house and lot, however, was signed by Vistaland and Lifescapes Inc Chairman and former Senator Manuel B. Villar.

Aside from being the class valedictorian, Hontaria was also awarded Chief of Staff of Saber, Presidential Saber, academic group award, Philippine Navy Saber, Spanish Armed Forces Award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance Award, Social Sciences Plaque, natural Sciences Plaque, Department of Leadership Plaque, and JUSMAG award.

Hontario is from Balabag, Pavia, Iloilo city and graduated at the age of 25. He is a son of a farmer and plans to marry Loura fe Dillera, his college sweetheart, after their graduation.

But what really makes Hontaria different from other PMA valedictorian is that he was also a brigade company commander and the third class baron of the school. According to PMA Superintendent Lt. General Donato San Juan, Hontaria is the first student in 67 years to be a class baron and top graduate.

He says there is so much responsibility given to class barons that it's very difficult to be the top of the class as well for them.

Aside from Hontaria, the following students also made it in the top 10 list:

Jaywardene Galilea Hontoria
Ricardo Liwaden
Jun-Jay Malazzab Castro
Leonore Andrea Carino Japitan
Mark Jantzen Dacillo
Jezaira Buenaventura
Jessie Antonio Laramang
Paolo Balla Briones
Jayson Raymundo Cimatu
Micah Quiambai Reynaldo