Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on a woman topping the 2019 PMA graduates

I would like to congratulate Dionne Mae Umalla, the 2019 Valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and her entire batch!

I am happy that a woman again topped the PMA graduating class. While this is not the first time, it is an important feat that we must continuously celebrate to show that a woman who excels is not an outlier. Women have transformed the landscape of a male-dominated profession before, and will keep on doing it time and again.

Congratulations to all the graduates of PMA Batch 2019! May this be a constant reminder that women belong in any field and in any profession we choose. Serve our country, dear graduates, knowing that there is no barrier that stands between you and excellence. Let us continue to nurture spaces for our women to keep on thriving in.

Mabuhay ang mga PMA! Mabuhay ang kababaihan!