A young woman from the Philippine Science High School–Bicol Region has emerged as the topnotcher of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Entrance Examination 2025, besting more than 24,000 examinees nationwide.
Amanda Isabel Guzman, a graduate of Pisay Bicol, secured the No. 1 spot among the 1,436 passers of this year’s PMAEE, reaffirming the growing presence and excellence of women in the country’s premier military institution.
The exam, conducted from July to September 2025 across 48 testing centers nationwide, drew 33,640 online applicants.
Of this, 24,671 qualified to take the test—a 13% increase from last year, reflecting the strong interest of the youth to serve the nation as future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
This year’s 5.82% passing rate marks a slight rise from last year’s 5.02%, with passers coming from diverse regions and schools across the country.
Guzman led the PMA’s Top 10 students composed of outstanding young men and women from various science high schools.
“These top performers exemplify the Academy’s vision: to attract and select the best and brightest through a stringent merit-based recruitment system,” said PMA Spokesperson Lt. Jesse Nestor Saludo.
All 1,436 successful examinees will undergo the next phase of screening—from October 2025 to April 2026—which includes a Complete Physical Examination, Medical Assessment, and Neuropsychiatric Evaluation.
Only those who meet PMA’s stringent standards will become cadets of the PMA Class of 2030, set to report to Fort Del Pilar in May 2026.
With Guzman leading this year’s roster of hopefuls, the PMA once again highlights the vital role of women in shaping the future of the AFP—proving that courage, leadership, and excellence know no gender.
