PMA Siklab-Laya: forged in flames and freedom

Siklab-Laya or Sundalong Isinilang na Kasangga at Lakas ng Ating Bayan para sa Kalayaan, is a name that sears itself into memory. It speaks of fire and liberty, struggle and purpose, and burns with both conviction and aspiration.

This year’s graduation of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Siklab-Laya Class of 2025 goes beyond ceremony. It symbolizes courage, transformation, and patriotism, and marks a turning point in the evolution of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The 266 cadets who marched across Borromeo Field at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City, including 54 women, are more than products of rigorous training. They represent the changing face of our military—more inclusive, resilient, and prepared to confront the complex demands of our time.

It was indeed a historic class, as the Siklab-Laya became the first to conduct a mandatory Joint Field Training Exercise (JFTX) on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea. Held in April 2025, the exercise immersed cadets in a geopolitically sensitive area. It included joint planning simulations, naval maneuvers, and air-sea combat drills—key elements of the AFP’s shift toward external defense under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. It introduced our future officers to the realities of territorial defense, where diplomacy, security, and national pride converge.

As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated in his commencement address, modern warfare transcends traditional battlefields. It extends into cyberspace, environmental protection, and community engagement.

“We have battles that are invisible to radar—ones that take place in cyberspace, in protecting information, in safeguarding the environment, and in helping communities during crises,” the Commander in Chief said. “Physical strength and agility are no longer enough. What we need just as much are your mental sharpness and your compassion.”

This perspective mirrors our mission and commitment to the modernization of the AFP. In line with this, the PMA is set to roll out a forward-looking curriculum next year that includes cyber warfare and information operations, preparing our future officers to confront both conventional and unconventional threats.

But in these changes lie something permanent: the unwavering character of the Filipino soldier—the enduring soul of our armed forces. Now full-fledged members of the military, the graduates of the Siklab-Laya Class of 2025 carry this legacy with them. They march forward brave in adversity, grounded in service, and deeply committed to defending the nation and its people.

This legacy is embodied in the extraordinary story of class valedictorian Jessie Ticar Jr., only the fourth cadet in the PMA’s 127-year history to graduate summa cum laude.

The 23-year-old did not arrive at the academy with fanfare or privilege. He rose to the top with grit, humility, and an unbreakable sense of duty to his family, and to the country.

The youngest of three siblings, Jessie grew up in Quezon City. His mother sold ballpens and envelopes on sidewalks to make ends meet, while his father drove a taxi day and night. He was already pursuing civil engineering at a public university when an accident left his father unable to work.

Faced with the weight of his family’s financial burden, Jessie made a decision that changed his life. He applied to the Philippine Military Academy, where found his true calling.

Within the academy’s walls, he not only excelled, Jessie shined. Even as he trained to become a leader, he never forgot where he came from. With permission from the PMA administration, he quietly sent part of his cadet allowance home every month to help his mother, turning sacrifice into strength, and discipline into devotion.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a heartfelt tribute to the families behind the cadets, underscored the foundational role of home in shaping future soldiers. “If the child is strong, upright, patriotic, then of course it is because their family and loved ones are so,” he explained.

“Sigurado po ako na kayo ang unang nagsanay sa kanilang mga disiplina. Mula sa paghuhugas ng pinggan, hanggang sa pagtupi ng kumot. Kung tutuusin, siguro bago pa kayo sumabak dito sa PMA, dumaan na kayo sa mas mahigpit at mas mahirap na boot camp ni nanay at tatay sa bahay,” he added, drawing laughter, cheers, and knowing applause from the audience.

As PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia said, the academy has long offered young Filipinos a second chance. In Jessie’s case, it became the crucible where character was forged, and the launchpad for a life of service.

Jessie’s story is not just about academic excellence or personal triumph. It is about what endures at the core of our armed forces: integrity, sacrifice, and love, not just for flag and country, but for family, for hope, and for a better tomorrow.

As AFP Chief of Staff, I take pride in knowing that these young officers step into service at a time when we are not only modernizing our capabilities and mindset but also strengthening the very heart of our institution, from our values to purpose, and our steadfast commitment to the Filipino people.

Our President, who led the commissioning rites, aptly reminded the graduates to stay mentally sharp in the age of misinformation and digital aggression. Indeed, physical courage remains essential, but in this era, it is intellectual agility, moral integrity, and digital literacy that will increasingly define a leader’s worth.

As these graduates take their oaths as second lieutenants and ensigns, I ask the nation to look at them not just as soldiers, but as beacons of national hope. They are proof that our institutions still work, that our youth still dream, and that our democracy still has defenders ready to serve.

To the Siklab-Laya Class of 2025, carry the flame of freedom with honor. Your nation believes in you and your armed forces stands with you. That is The General Idea.

Mabuhay ang mga bagong opisyal ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas!