Two cadets from the Philippine Military Academy successfully completed their four-year degree program at the Japan National Defense Academy on Saturday, March 14.

Cadet First Class Jhoshua Otchoc Garcia, who is set to join the Philippine Air Force, and Cadet First Class Solomon Banagyo Mangetag, who will join the Philippine Navy, both earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. The two were original members of PMA’s Class of 2024 and were sent abroad under the academy’s Foreign Pre-Commissioning Training Institution program with Japan.

Garcia, 25, from Baguio City, previously studied civil engineering at the University of Baguio before entering PMA. He was assigned to the Japan National Defense Academy in May 2020. During his stay, he received the English Proficiency Award, given to cadets who score 900 or higher on the TOEIC exam.

Mangetag, 26, from Guinihon, Mayoyao, Ifugao, is the youngest of five children. He is the son of the late Samuel Mangetag Sr. and Pacita Mangetag, a farmer. He previously attended Saint Louis University and Ifugao State University, where he studied mechanical engineering and criminology. Mangetag joined the Japan National Defense Academy in 2021. He also earned the TOEIC Award and received the Foreign Cadet Special Award, recognizing excellence in academics, conduct, and public service.

Garcia dedicated his achievement “to discipline and the pursuit of excellence.” Mangetag shared a message of perseverance: “Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.”