A Boholano and a Cagayano are this year’s Athletic Saber awardees among the 214-strong members of the Philippine Military Academy “Bagsik-Diwa” Class of 2022, PMA officials announced last week.
First Class Navy Cadet Catherine Talosig of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan emerged as the “Tarzan” awardee among 49 female class members for ranking number one in athletic-related activities, intramural, and sports participation.
The 25-year-old Talosig claimed to be a member of the Itawes ethnic group and a Baptist by religion. Before entering PMA, she took up a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Cagayan State University.
First Class Army Cadet Vince John Philippe Cabagnot is the best athlete among the 165 male class members for also ranking first in intramural and athletic-related activities.
Cabagnot, 22, took the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track in Senior High School at Ateneo de Naga University before he decided to be a PMA cadet.
PMA, meanwhile, announced Nico Ali Caceres, 21, of Naga City, Camarines Sur, will be conferred the Sports and Physical Development plaque for placing first in all Physical Education courses.
Caceres, who will join the Army service, is a Roman Catholic and was a senior high graduate when he entered PMA.
It is only this year that no Cordilleran will be awarded the Athletic Saber after female cadets from the region were the consistent recipients of the award. – Harley F. Palangchao
