Army Cadet Second Class Rachel Ann D. Bolaños of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) passed the 2026 Mechanical Engineer Licensure Examination, demonstrating that professional academic achievement can coincide with the demands of cadet training.
Bolaños, 24, is from Sorsogon City. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Sorsogon State University and graduated from Sorsogon National High School under the STEM track with honors. She is the younger of two children. Her father manages a small bakery in their barangay, while her mother is a homemaker. Outside academics and training, she spends time drawing and writing poetry.
In June 2022, Bolaños deferred attending her college graduation rites scheduled on 09 June so she could report to PMA on 01 June 2022. Since entering the Academy, she has balanced military training with academic requirements while preparing for the licensure examination.
The Academy awarded Bolaños the Military Achievement Medal on 20 February 2026 in recognition of passing the licensure examination while undergoing cadet training.
Bolaños dedicated the milestone to her family and peers, expressing hope that her experience would encourage other young Filipinos to pursue opportunities in both professional and public service paths. She said she intends to complete her PMA training, join the Philippine Army, and apply her technical background in support of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) missions.