The Philippine Army’s 128th Founding Anniversary set the stage for an electrifying showdown at the TRON 2025 Cyber Defense Exercise, held March 8-9 at Fort Bonifacio’s Ricarte Hall. Combining cutting-edge cybersecurity challenges with military-academia collaboration, the event saw AMA University (AMAU) make history as its first-ever cybersecurity team leapt into the fray—and emerged as a dark horse contender.
AMA University’s rookie squad—BS Cybersecurity students John Garcia, Justine David Campos, Emeriza Pabanil, and Videmer Parauan, guided by adviser Miss Rabano—burst onto the scene with infectious energy. Day 1 kicked off with the team snagging the Early Bird Award, but they quickly proved it was more than punctuality driving their success. By midday, AMAU rocketed to 1st place, igniting a fiercely competitive atmosphere as rival schools scrambled to counter their momentum.
Day 2 delivered edge-of-the-seat drama as leaderboard positions seesawed in real time. Amid the chaos, AMAU’s team showcased standout talent: two members, John Garcia and Emeriza Pabanil, clinched 1st and 2nd place in individual scoring. Though the final tally placed AMAU 5th overall, their performance stunned observers, outranking seasoned competitors from established institutions.
Beyond trophies, TRON 2025 immersed students in high-stakes scenarios mirroring real-world cyberthreats, sharpening technical prowess and teamwork under pressure. For AMAU, the event marked a milestone—not just as their cybersecurity program’s debut, but as proof that fresh faces can disrupt the status quo. “Placing 5th among veterans is a win we’ll build on,” shared adviser Rabano. “Our students proved grit and collaboration can level any battlefield—digital or otherwise.”
The exercise underscored the Philippine Army’s commitment to bridging military and academic expertise, fostering a new generation of cyber defenders ready to tackle evolving threats. For AMAU’s trailblazing team, TRON 2025 was just the beginning—a spark igniting a journey into the ever-expanding frontier of cybersecurity.
Inspired by their story? AMA University’s blend of hands-on learning and collaborative innovation is shaping students into tomorrow’s problem-solvers. To explore how their programs cultivate talent or to join the next wave of cyber defenders—visit their website at www.amaes.edu.ph and discover the education system behind the breakthrough.
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