- MITCH LIPA
Hundreds of residents of San Enrique town in Negros Occidental lined up the street Thursday morning to welcome their townmate, Navy Ensign Janrey Artus, who graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy “Masaligan” Class of 2021 early this month.
San Enrique Vice Mayor Meschille Balenario said a six-kilometer motorcade, from the house of Artus in Barangay Guintorelan to the town proper, kicked off the ceremony.
A recognition program was then held in front of the Municipal Hall, attended by Mayor Jilson Tubillara, employees, students, residents, and Artus’ family members.
Tubillara turned over cash incentive to Artus that is usually given in recognition of any student of the town, who received an academic honor upon their graduation in college.
He said the town maintains its program for education, with the budget for its 600 scholars in college sourced from local funds.
Artus returned home on May 13, three days after the PMA graduation ceremony in Baguio City. He stayed for a number of days with his parents and siblings, before the recognition program of the town government.
He is the third child of retired teacher Jocelyn and retired military man Florencio Artus. He was studying Engineering at the University of the Philippines in Iloilo and was about to finish the course when he entered the premier military school in 2017.
Artus will go back to Manila to pursue a three-month schooling before he officially joins the Philippine Navy, his choice of military service. –MML
