PMA names top 10 ranks among 1,216 exam passers

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Military Academy has named the top 10 ranked performers in its 2026 entrance examination, with students from science high schools and private schools across the country among those who posted the highest results, the academy said.

The Philippine Military Academy Entrance Examination (PMAEE) 2026 drew 36,596 online applications, of whom 26,339 reported to examination sites and 25,452 qualified to take the test, PMA said.

According to the academy, a total of 1,216 applicants passed, representing a 4.78% passing rate, down from 5.28% the previous year.

The top-ranked performers were Jilian Alexis Chan Lapada and Gabriel James Valdez, both from Philippine Science High School campuses in Baguio City and Ilocos Sur, respectively.

Francesca Marinella Estacio Aquino of Saint Pedro Poveda College in Quezon City and Zeke Marcus Esperancilla Macadat of Cainta Catholic College in Rizal were tied at second rank.

Justyn Carlo Barsalote Apilat of Precious International School of Davao ranked third.

Fourth-ranked passers were John Matt Rivas Amaza of Philippine Science High School-Koronadal and Art Dominic Nasdoman Gubiaon of Philippine Science High School-Cagayan Valley.

James Kieffer Bullecer Taglinao of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan ranked fifth, followed by John Benedict Padernilla Porras and Paul Nathan Lorenzo Santiago, both of Philippine Science High School-Main Campus, at sixth and seventh, respectively.

Kurt Rafael Balai Calingacion of Highway Hills Integrated School ranked eighth, while Sofia Venize Carasi Barola of Philippine Science High School-Baguio City ranked ninth.

Three applicants shared the 10th rank: Philip Arthur Tabang Acidre of Philippine Science High School-Leyte, Bai Zharean Jathiya Sinsuat Ante of Albert Einstein School Inc. in Cotabato City, and Tyron Beltran Liquigan of Philippine Science High School-Cagayan Valley.

The results cover examinations conducted at 48 testing centers nationwide from July to September, according to the academy.

Passing the entrance examination does not by itself guarantee admission to the academy.

The 1,216 successful examinees will undergo further screening from October 2026 through April 2027, including complete physical examination, medical assessment and neuropsychiatric evaluation, PMA said.

The screening will determine which candidates will ultimately form the incoming PMA Class of 2031, tentatively scheduled to convene in May 2027.

The academy said the selection process is designed to identify candidates who meet its requirements for academic competence, physical fitness, mental preparedness and character.

The PMA said the examination and succeeding screening process are part of its merit-based recruitment system for future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.