CLARK FREEPORT — Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Board Director Atty. Helen Nicolette Henson was among the top graduates of the Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) SALIMBAY Class 2025 Bravo, conducted by the 2nd Air Reserve Center under the Air Force Reserve Command.
Henson, now a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Reservist with the rank of sergeant, earned Honor Graduate status after placing eighth overall with a final average of 90.28 percent.
She and her Flight Echo teammates also received citations for Best in Land Navigation and Map Reading, and Best in Team Building Exercises during the Field Training Exercise (FTX) component.
A lawyer by profession, Henson graduated cum laude with a degree in Mass Communication from St. Scholastica’s College Manila and earned her Juris Doctor from the Arellano University School of Law. She also completed executive programs at Harvard Business School.
Before joining the CDC Board in 2023, she worked as a news anchor and correspondent for CLTV36, CNN Philippines and 9TV. She also gained national recognition as Binibining Pilipinas 2010 Second Runner-Up and Miss World Philippines 2011 First Princess.
The BCMT SALIMBAY course, short for Sandigan ng Lipunan, Iaangat at Mamayani para sa Bayan ran from July 27 to October 11, 2025, and concluded with a graduation ceremony at the Gaerlan Auditorium in Clark Air Force City.
A total of 72 trainees completed the program, which drew professionals from law, medicine, engineering, architecture, agriculture, veterinary science, public service, and business. The training aims to instill discipline, leadership, and civic responsibility among reservists.
MGen. Pablo Rustia Jr., PAF, Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, served as guest of honor and speaker during the ceremony.
The graduates were formally inducted by Col. Michael Odylon Romero, PAF (GSC) (Res), founding chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ARRAPI).
Col. Marc Anthony Yambing, PAF (GSC), Commanding Officer of the 2nd Air Reserve Center, led the training.