PMA topnotcher: I never thought of quitting military school despite its hardships

Quitting the military school never entered the mind of Cadet First Class Gemalyn Sugui, the topnotcher of the Philippine Military Academy MASIDLAWIN (Mandirigmang Isinilang na may Dangal at Lakas Upang Maging Tanglaw ng Inang Bayan) Class of 2020.

Sugui, who hails from Echague, Isabela, is a graduate of BS Management Economics from the University of the Philippines Baguio. Her mother is a public school teacher while her father is a farmer.

The 25-year-old female cadet admitted that life inside PMA was difficult, but she said she never thought of quitting.

"Mahirap 'yung experience sa PMA pero never sumagi sa isip ko na mag-quit kasi gusto ko talaga 'yung pagpasok sa PMA so naisip ko na 'yung pagco-college ko nga na nahirapan ako, tinapos ko. Paano pa 'yung gusto ko talagang pagiging kadete," Sugui said in an interview shared to the media.

"Kahit na nanibago ako sa mga kalakaran dito sa military, tinapos ko at hindi ko man lang naisip na mag-quit..." she added.

Sugui said the military school has deeply changed her, especially on how she values time and her family.

"Binago ako ng PMA kasi noong sibilyan ako, dito ako nag-aral sa Baguio, tinetext ko lang 'yung parents ko na 'Nay, kailangan ko ng ganito, ganyan.' Noong naging kadete ako bina-value ko na 'yung time sa family kasi noong pumasok ako sa PMA, minsan ko lang sila makausap. Minsan ko lang sila makasama,” Sugui recalled.

During her college days, Sugui used to procrastinate her school work; but when she entered the military school, she learned to value her time so that she may accomplish a lot of tasks.

"Pero noong nag-kadete ako, 'yung 30 minutes lang na tulog mo importante na siya para matapos mo 'yung kailangan mong gawin," Sugui said.

Sugui is set to join the Philippine Army.

The cadet admitted she was surprised when she learned that she dominated the 196 PMA graduates of this year, but now, she believes that it happened because she has a purpose in life.

"Habang tumatagal parang siguro may plano ang Diyos bakit niya ko nilagay sa position na ito. Binigay Niya sa akin kasi kaya ko," Sugui said.

"Sinasabi ko na gagampanan ko kahit na 'yung pinakamaliit na trabaho na ipapagawa sa akin kasi sa maliit na bagay dito nagsisimula 'yung malalaking success at victories," she added.

The PMA graduation rites will be held Friday afternoon. The 196 graduates include 172 males and 23 females.—AOL, GMA News