PMA’s first female cadet commandant to uphold academy standards

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Thirty-three years after entering the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) as one of its pioneering female cadets, Army Col. Leah Lorenzo-Santiago returned on Saturday as the academy’s first woman commandant of cadets, with a promotion to brigadier general expected soon.

Santiago, a summa cum laude graduate of the PMA “Kalasag-Lahi” Class of 1997, formally assumed the post from Army Col. Eugene Henry Cabusao, who served as interim commandant.

She acknowledged the challenge of bridging the generation gap with today’s cadets, many of whom belong to Generation Z and are preparing for warfare increasingly shaped by digital technology and artificial intelligence.

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PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Logico said Santiago’s appointment was significant not only because she was the academy’s first woman commandant but also because of her distinguished military career.

“Nothing about training under her will be softer,” Logico said, describing Santiago as a seasoned war fighter committed to maintaining the academy’s rigorous standards.

Santiago was among the “Magnificent Seven,” the first seven women to graduate from the traditionally male institution.

In her assumption speech, Santiago urged cadets to embrace discipline, humility and correction as they develop into leaders.

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“I do not expect you to be perfect. I expect you to be honest about your weaknesses, receptive to correction, and determined to improve,” she said.

Her new role includes overseeing cadet training and preparing future officers to meet evolving security threats.

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Logico said Santiago’s promotion to brigadier general was expected once the Senate resumed sessions following its recess.

The event drew generals and other senior officials from the 1997 class, their fellow “mistahs,” including two of the seven pioneering women still in active service and six members of the original 16-woman batch admitted to the PMA in 1993. /cb