Cadiz celebrates PMA top 10 cadet

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government of Cadiz in Negros Occidental expressed pride over the achievement of a 24-year-old cadet who recently graduated with honors from the Philippine Military Academy.

On May 16, Cadet 1st Class Mark Clement Dequinto Centina, who hails from Barangay Burgos, Cadiz City, ranked 10th in the “Talang Dangal” Class of 2026, earning his place among the country’s future military officers.

The PMA earlier listed Centina as the No. 10 top-performing graduate of the class, which is composed of cadets set to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines after years of military, academic, and leadership training.

Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said Centina embodies the city’s mantra: “Culture of compassion. Mindset for excellence,” after his remarkable finish at the PMA made his fellow Cadiznons proud.

Escalante said grit and discipline propelled Centina to become one of the PMA’s top cadets.

“Truly, he is beyond inspiration,” he added.

Centina is the eldest of two siblings and the son of a retired Philippine Army enlisted personnel and a sugarcane farm consultant.

He completed his secondary education at Negros Occidental National Science High School in Victorias City before pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics at the University of the Philippines Visayas in Iloilo.

Inspired by his father’s military background and his own experiences as a student leader, Centina left UPV in his third year of college to follow his desire to serve the country, which became stronger during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a student leader, I saw how difficult the situation was for many Filipinos,” he shared. “That was when my desire to serve became stronger.”

He recalled one of the toughest periods at the PMA during his second year as a third-class cadet.

“The standards remained, but the responsibilities became greater,” he said.

Aside from balancing academics and military duties, cadets were also expected to become role models for younger cadets.

“Hindi sapat na magaling ka lang, o malakas, o matalino,” Centina said. “Dapat kaya mong gawin lahat.”

Despite the pressure and exhaustion, Centina persevered through discipline, patience, dedication, and faith in God.

He also credited the support of his family and fellow cadets for helping him survive difficult moments inside the academy.

For Centina, simply being accepted into the PMA was already a blessing.

Becoming part of the top 10 graduates, Centina admitted, was something he never expected.

Beyond the medals and recognition, his greatest pride remains deeply personal: seeing his family smile and knowing their sacrifices were worth it.

He hopes his story will inspire fellow Cadiznons, Negrenses, and young Filipinos who may feel limited by their circumstances.

“If you want to do something bigger than yourself, then PMA is the best place for you. PMA did not teach me what is the best leadership style in order to succeed. It exposed me to various leadership techniques and from that, I was able to pick which one is applicable on different situations,” he said.

For Centina, who once quietly dreamed of wearing the uniform, his message is simple: Humble beginnings should never stop anyone from aiming higher.

“Kung kinaya ko na galing lang sa simpleng buhay at pamilya, kaya niyo rin. I encourage you to take the PMA challenge,” he said.