Former PMA Summa Cum Laude Becomes Academy’s First Female Commandant of Cadets
Leah Lorenzo Santiago, the academy’s first female summa cum laude, was appointed commandant of cadets at the Philippine Military Academy.
Colonel Leah Lorenzo Santiago, a 1997 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and the institution’s first female summa cum laude, took over as commandant of cadets on October 17 in Baguio City. The ceremony at Yap Hall marked her return to the academy where she was one of the “Magnificent Seven” - the first cohort of women admitted after Republic Act No. 7192 opened the doors to female cadets. Santiago’s career has spanned platoon leadership, artillery command, senior personnel management and a prior posting as the academy’s first female Senior Tactical Officer.
She replaces Colonel Eugene Henry Cabusao, who had been acting commandant following Brigadier General Nelson Aluad’s retirement. In her remarks, Santiago pledged to instill integrity, competence and humility in cadets, reminding them that leadership demands honesty about weaknesses and dedication to duty.
Why it matters
Her historic appointment signals progress for gender integration in the Philippines’ premier military training institution.
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