A Filipino military cadet from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu has graduated from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado, completing a rigorous four-year program and earning multiple distinguished recognitions before returning to the Philippines to serve in the Philippine Air Force.
Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cadet First Class Dans Uriel Bacalso Ferrer, 23, originally a member of the PMA "SIKLAB-LAYA" Class of 2025, graduated from USAFA on May 28, 2026, according to a statement released by the PMA Public Affairs Office and authenticated by Lieutenant Commander Jesse Nestor B. Saludo PN, Chief of the Public Affairs Office of the PMA.
The graduation took place at Fort General Gregorio H. Del Pilar in Baguio City, where PMA is headquartered, and follows Cadet Ferrer's completion of the academy's Foreign Pre-Commission Training Institution (FPCTI) program in partnership with USAFA.
Cebuano Cadet Finishes Four-Year USAFA Program with Honors
Cadet Ferrer completed a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Foreign Area Studies under the Military Strategic Studies track, with a regional concentration in Asia and a minor in Japanese language. His academic and military performance throughout the four-year program earned him a place on the Dean's List, one of the most distinguished academic recognitions at USAFA.
Beyond academic excellence, Ferrer accumulated an impressive list of military skills and certifications during his time in the United States. These include the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), qualification as a Rifle Expert for the M4 (5.56mm) and Pistol Expert for the M18 (9mm), the Cadet Cyberwarfare Badge, and the Cadet Glider Wings with a star — awarded for the solo completion of a flight in the TG-16 aircraft.
He also earned Parachutist Wings after successfully completing five solo freefall skydives, demonstrating proficiency in airborne operations — a skill set that will be directly applicable to his future service with the Philippine Air Force.
Ranked No. 1 in PMA Entrance Exams in 2020
Cadet Ferrer's academic journey within the Philippine military establishment began even before he set foot in USAFA. In 2020, he ranked number one in the PMA Entrance Examination — a national competitive test taken by thousands of aspiring officer candidates annually — placing him among the most outstanding candidates of his generation.
He was subsequently identified as a candidate for the United States service academies through PMA's Foreign Pre-Commission Training Institution program, which sends highly qualified Filipino cadets to partner military institutions in the United States for full-degree programs before commissioning into the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Cadet Ferrer's selection for the USAFA program reflected both his academic standing and the military's intent to develop officers with international exposure, specialized knowledge, and cross-cultural competence.
Son of a Retired PAF Pilot, Raised on an Air Base
Cadet Ferrer's path to military aviation is deeply rooted in family history. He is the son of Lieutenant Colonel Demetrio DL Ferrer PAF (Ret), a retired Philippine Air Force pilot and member of the PMA "MASINAG" Class of 1998, and Ms. Nancy Bacalso-Ferrer, a former broadcast journalist with ABS-CBN Central Visayas.
Growing up at Brigadier General Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Cadet Ferrer was constantly surrounded by aircraft and aviation from an early age. He credited his father's career as a pilot and his upbringing on the air base as the primary forces that sparked and sustained his passion for flying.
"His father inspired him to pursue this path," the PMA Public Affairs Office stated in its release. Cadet Ferrer himself acknowledged that his family remains his strongest source of motivation throughout what has been a demanding and years-long journey through two military academies.
Ferrer Set to Join Philippine Air Force, Eyes Pilot Training
Following his graduation from USAFA on May 28, 2026, Cadet Ferrer is scheduled to join the Philippine Air Force as a commissioned officer. His immediate next step will be the Basic Aviation Officer Course (BAFOC), the standard entry-level aviation training program for newly commissioned PAF officers.
After completing BAFOC, Cadet Ferrer has expressed his intention to proceed to formal pilot training — fulfilling the lifelong ambition that has driven his entire military career and educational journey. His Foreign Area Studies background, with its Asia-focused military strategic studies track and Japanese language minor, also positions him as a potential asset in areas relating to regional security analysis and international military cooperation.
The combination of his USAFA education, advanced military qualifications, language skills, and aviation background makes Cadet Ferrer a uniquely prepared officer for the contemporary demands of the Philippine Air Force.
Ferrer Calls on Young Filipinos to Never Stop Dreaming
In remarks shared following his graduation, Cadet Ferrer extended a message of encouragement to young Filipinos considering a life of service or any aspirational pursuit.
"To the Filipino people, never stop dreaming. Hangga't nagsusumikap tayo para sa ating mga pangarap, patuloy na uunlad ang ating bansa."
("To the Filipino people, never stop dreaming. As long as we strive for our dreams, our nation will continue to progress.")
He also expressed gratitude to his family, his sponsor families during his time in the United States, his friends, classmates, and his PMA family for the support they extended throughout his training.
PMA's International Training Program Builds Cross-Cultural Military Leaders
Cadet Ferrer's graduation is the result of a structured bilateral program between the Philippine Military Academy and the United States Air Force Academy under the Foreign Pre-Commission Training Institution framework. The program allows selected PMA cadets to undertake their full officer education at partner academies abroad, returning to the Philippines upon graduation to be commissioned into the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
According to the PMA Public Affairs Office, Cadet Ferrer's accomplishment "underscores PMA's broader effort to develop future officers through international exposure, advanced military education, and cross-cultural learning." The academy described his achievement as a reflection of its institutional commitment to "preparing young leaders who can bring home valuable knowledge, skills, and perspectives in service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines."
The FPCTI program is part of a wider network of international military education partnerships maintained by the AFP and PMA, intended to expose Filipino officers to allied military systems, doctrine, and culture before commissioning — strengthening interoperability with partner nations and broadening the strategic perspective of the AFP's officer corps.
Cadet Ferrer's class designation as a member of the "SIKLAB-LAYA" Class of 2025 reflects his original PMA batch, with his participation in the USAFA program accounting for the extended timeline through to his 2026 graduation.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Philippine Military Academy Public Affairs Office