Son of retired bus conductor, teacher tops PMMA class

Marc John C. Castañeto, BS in Marine Engineering. PMMA "KADALIGTAN" Class of 2025 from Llanera,Nueva Ecija.Marc John Castañeto

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15 Aug 2025, 02:14

San Narciso, Zambales – A midshipman from Nueva Ecija, the son of a retired elementary school teacher and a former bus conductor, graduated at the top of his class during the Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Kadaligtan Class of 2025 held on 15 August.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ceremonies and recognized Midshipman First Class (MIDN/1CL) Marc John Castañeto of Llanera, Nueva Ecija as the class valedictorian.

Castañeto topped the Kadaligtan Class of 2025 — short for Kawal ng Dalampasigan, Liwanag ng Karagatan — of the country’s premier maritime institution.

Marc John C. Castañeto Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering PMMA "KADALIGTAN" Class of 2025 Llanera, Nueva Ecija Achievements: Class Valedictorian 2025 Presidential Saber Awardee Chairman of the Board Awardee 2nd LT Ensign, Philippine Navy Reservist Best in Research Awardee Leadership Awardee Discipline Awardee Rank 1, BS in Marine Engineering Top 1 Overall (Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation) OIC MARINA Board Passer (EW - Engine Operational Level) Line Officer Board of Trustees (Student Trustee) Star Cadet Best in Technological Innovation (National SUC Fair) HELM Committee Member Steering Committee Member Sports Committee Member Sword Sponsor The Galleon Committee Member Revision Committee Member

The Class of 2025 is comprised of 252 cadets, with 144 of them graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marine Transportation, and 108 earning a BS in Marine Engineering.

The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) is a 205-year-old, government-funded pioneer institution in maritime higher education, producing the finest Filipino merchant marine officers to serve in marine and maritime-related industries worldwide.

Its graduates are bound to join the Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Merchant Marine Fleet as licensed marine engineers and deck officers who will help the country maintain its reputation as a key player in the global maritime industry—supporting and strengthening the country’s maritime defense.

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