26/03/2026
SON OF IFUGAO GRADUATES FROM JAPAN NATIONAL DEFENSE ACADEMY
Congratulations Solomon Banagyo Mangetag!
Cadet First Class Solomon Banagyo Mangetag, a proud son of Guinihon, Mayoyao, Ifugao, has successfully completed his four-year degree program at the Japan National Defense Academy (JNDA) on March 14, 2026, marking a significant milestone in his journey toward serving the country.
Mangetag, 26, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 2024 and is set to join the Philippine Navy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities under the PMA’s Foreign Pre-Commissioning Training Institution program in partnership with Japan.
Raised in a humble family, Mangetag is the youngest of five siblings and the son of the late Samuel Mangetag Sr. and Pacita Mangetag, a farmer. Before entering PMA, he pursued higher education at Saint Louis University and Ifugao State University, where he studied BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Criminology.
During his training in Japan, Mangetag distinguished himself both academically and professionally. He earned the English Proficiency Award after scoring above 900 in the TOEIC examination, demonstrating strong command of the English language.
More notably, he was conferred the prestigious Foreign Cadet Special Award, a recognition given to outstanding international cadets who excel in academics, leadership, conduct, and public service. The award highlights his discipline, strong character, and commitment to excellence throughout his cadetship.
Mangetag’s achievement reflects not only his personal dedication but also the growing capability of Filipino cadets to meet global military standards. His success stands as an inspiration to aspiring military officers, especially those coming from humble beginnings in the provinces.
In his message, Mangetag emphasized perseverance, saying, “Rest if you must, but don’t you quit,” a reflection of the resilience that carried him through years of rigorous training abroad.
His journey underscores the value of international military education in shaping globally competent and mission-ready officers for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
