PMA cadets complete degrees in Japan National Defense Academy, Republic of Korea Military Academy
Cadet 1CL Jhoshua Otchoc Garcia completes four-year degree program at Japan National Defense Academy. (PMA photo)
Cadet-1CL-Solomon-Mangetag-joins-the-Philippine-Navy-after-graduating-from-Japan-National-Defense-Academy-last-March-14. (photo courtesy of Breaking News Negros Oriental)
By: Nonnette C. Bennett, with reports from Philippine Military Academy
Korean Embassy photo shows Cadet 1CL Guidson T Domingo top photo who was joined by his parents and Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache in Korea Col. Don D. Templonuevo PA.
Baguio City – Five Philippine Military Academy Cadets completed military degrees from the Japanese National Defense Academy and the Republic of Korea Military Academy, according to PMA authorities.
Midshipman 1CL Lemuel H. Ego-ogan graduated from the Republic of Korea Naval Academy (ROKNA) on February 27, 2026 as he is flanked by his father and foster parents. (photo courtesy of Korean Embassy)
Cadet First Class Jhoshua Otchoc Garcia of Baguio City and Cadet First Class Solomon Banagyo Mangetag of Mayoyao, Ifugao completed their four-years degree program at the Japan National Defense Academy (JNDA) following their graduation on March 14, 2026. While, Cadet First Class Guidson Domingo of the North Cotabato graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Relations from the Republic of Korea Military Academy (ROKMA) and Cadet First Class Lemuel Ego-ogan finished with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography at the Republic of Korea Naval Academy (ROKNA) last February 27, and Cadet First Class Euniño Joaquin Manuel of Cabuyao, Laguna graduated earlier on February 25 from the Republic of Korea Air Force Academy (ROKAFA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, according to PMA public affairs office chief Capt. Jesse Nelson Saludo.
The five cadets were formerly members of PMA Class 2024, Garcia and Mangetag were sent to Japan under PMA’s Foreign Pre-Commissioning Training Institution program. While, Domingo, Ego-ogan, and Manuel were also under the FPCTI program strengthening defense ties and interoperability between the Philippines and South Korea.
Cadet First Class Jhoshua Otchoc Garcia, who is set to join the Philippine Air Force, and Cadet First Class Solomon Banagyo Mangetag, who is set to join the Philippine Navy, both graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from JNDA. Both are original members of PMA Class of 2024 and were sent abroad under PMA’s Foreign Pre-Commissioning Training Institution program with Japan, according to PMA authorities.
Cadet Garcia, 25, hails from Baguio City. Before entering PMA, he pursued Civil Engineering at theUniversity of Baguio. He was sent to JNDA on May 2020. During his stay in Japan, he earned the English Proficiency Award, granted to cadets who score 900 and above in the TOEIC examination, reflecting strong competence in the English language.
Cadet Mangetag, 26, is from Guinihon, Mayoyao, Ifugao and is the youngest of five siblings. He is the son of the late Samuel Mangetag Sr. and Pacita Mangetag, who is a farmer. Prior to entering PMA, he studied at Saint Louis University and later at Ifugao State University, where he took up BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Criminology. He was sent to JNDA in 2021. Like Cadet Garcia, he received the TOEIC Award for scoring 900 points and above in the English proficiency examination. In addition, he was conferred the Foreign Cadet Special Award, a distinction given for excellence in academics, conduct, and public service, highlighting his outstanding scholastic performance, leadership, and character throughout his cadetship, according to PMA authorities.
Cadet First Class Guidson T. Domingo, 24, from Kabacan, North Cotabato, graduated from the Republic of Korea Military Academy (ROKMA) with multiple top honors, alongside Cadet First Class Lemuel H. Ego-Ogan, 25, from Poblacion Compostela, Davao de Oro who completed his cadetship at the Republic of Korea Naval Academy (ROKNA) on Friday, 27 February 2026.
At graduation, Cadet Domingo received three major distinctions: the Star Cadet Award for overall excellence as a 1st Class cadet; the Outstanding Foreign Cadet Award for exemplary performance in academics, physical fitness, military training, leadership, discipline, and Korean language proficiency; and the Republic of Korea Army Comradeship Award for embodying integrity, selflessness, teamwork, and strong bonds with fellow cadets.
This is his second consecutive Star Cadet Award, building on his historic feat as the first Filipino to receive the distinction at ROKMA. He had earlier brought pride to the country in May 2025, by winning the 2nd Korean Speaking Contest at Kyungrip Changwon National University in South Korea.
Cadet 1CL Ego-Ogan also distinguished himself at the Republic of Korea Naval Academy, receiving several merits and awards during his cadetship. He was recognized as a US CHINHAE Naval Force Command Korea Awardee (awardee in essay contest among all ROKNA cadets), and earned Regimental Communication Aide Merit, and 1st Battalion Intelligence and Operations Officer Merit, reflecting his strong performance in communications, intelligence, and operations, as well as his professionalism in working alongside allied naval forces.
C1CL Eunio Joaquin Manuel graduated from the Republic of Korea Air Force Academy (ROKAFA) in South Korea on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. (photo courtesy of PMA)
Meanwhile, Cadet Manuel, 24, hails from Cabuyao, Laguna and is the eldest son of Engineer Elrey Q. Manuel and Mrs. Sheryl F. Manuel, a homemaker. He has one younger brother, Eulvard James. Originally a member of PMA “Bagong Sinag” Class of 2024, he was sent to ROKAFA on January 21, 2022 to continue his education and cadetship training under the Philippines–Republic of Korea defense cooperation framework. He completed his cadetship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Upon his return, will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Philippine Air Force.
