Farmer's daughter tops PMA Class of 2024; seven women in Top 10

A farmer’s daughter has topped the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) 278-strong Bagong Sinag Class of 2024, leading the seven women in the Top 10, the PMA announced on Friday.

Twenty-four-year-old Cadet First Class Jeneth Elumba, who hails from Surigao del Norte, finished as magna cum laude and will join the Philippine Army.

Elumba, whose mother is a barangay official, also studied in UP Tacloban College before entering the PMA.

As top of her 2024 PMA class, Elumba is also the recipient of the following awards:

• Presidential Saber
• Philippine Army Saber 
• Jusmag Saber 
• Australian Defense Best Overall  Performance Award (Army) 
• Tactics Group Award and
• Army Professional Plaque 

Other females who made the Top 10 include:

• Cyril Joy Masculino (4th place)
• Rosemel Dogello (5th place)
• Alexa Mye Balen (6th place)
• Giselle Tong (8th place)
• Danica Marie Viray (9th place), and
• Neriva Binag (10th place)
   

Finishing second to Elumba was Mark Armuel Boiles, a son of a tricycle driver.

Boiles will be the lone graduate in the Top 10 who will be joining the Philippine Air Force.

Finishing third and seventh, respectively, were Kim Harold Gilo and Floyd Niño Arthur Roxas. Both Gilo and Roxas will join the Philippine Navy.

The rest of the Top 10 are all joining the Philippine Army. —KBK, GMA Integrated News