Philippine Military Academy Welcomes 367 New Cadets in Reception Rites

The Philippine Military Academy held reception rites for PMA Class 2030 at Borromeo Field inside Fort General Gregorio H. del Pilar in Baguio City on Saturday, May 23. Upperclass cadets from PMA “Siklab Kasilag” Class of 2028 supervised the event and formally received the new cadets into the New Cadet Battalion.

The 367 incoming cadets performed stress drills, pushups, and military bearing exercises under shouted commands.

The academy reported that the group emerged from a nationwide application pool of 33,640. After initial screening, 24,630 took the entrance examination and 1,436 advanced to physical, medical, and psychological evaluations. The largest share of cadets, 12 percent, came from the Cordillera region, followed by the National Capital Region and Calabarzon, each contributing 11 percent.

Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia said the academy is updating its academic and military programs to align with current security requirements and international standards. Class 2030 will follow the enhanced Bachelor of Science in Management major in Security Studies curriculum, which includes instruction in cybersecurity, international defense, and strategic leadership in addition to conventional warfare topics.

PMA Commandant of Cadets told the new cadets that the reception rites mark the official start of their military careers and the shift from civilian to regimented life.