Manila, May 17 -- Anita Ticar, the mother of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Siklab-Laya" Class of 2025 valedictorian, 2nd Lt. Jessie Ticar Jr., said her son joined the academy to help their family out of poverty.

Now that her son has exceeded expectations, she prays for her son and the 265 other graduates to serve the country well.

"Sana gabayan ka ng panginoon na ipagpatuloy mo ang paglilingkod sa ating bayan. Sana tulungan ka ni Lord na ipagpatuloy iyon (I hope for the Lord's guidance for you to serve the country)," she said in a media interview on the sidelines of the graduation rites at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City on Saturday.

"Proud na proud ako sa kanya. Salamat sa Panginoon dahil ginabayan niya ang anak ko sa ganitong ...