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Against the Tide in Balabac, Palawan: Twelve ALS Graduates Triumph Over Distance and Challenges
Randolf Flores, SVD
A Grace-Filled Beginning
The celebration opened with a procession and prayer led jointly by Fr. Son Bao, SVD, assistant parish priest, and a Muslim graduate. This interfaith gesture, in a municipality where nearly 80% of residents are Muslim, symbolized the harmony and unity that characterize Balabac.
Following the Philippine
National Anthem and the Alma Mater Hymn, Rev. Fr. Randy Flores, SVD, Acting Executive Director of AJCMFI, offered his welcome remarks. Traveling from Quezon City, he reminded the graduates that education must not only develop the mind but also form the heart, cultivating values that sustain true human growth.
Honoring the Graduates
Rev. Fr. Rodrigo Salazar, Jr., SVD, parish priest and Site Coordinator, presented the graduates, who were officially confirmed by Mr. Saturnino D. Cancino, Principal I of Balabac Central School and District Supervisor. This affirmed the program’s partnership with the Department of Education, making the achievements of the learners officially recognized.
Inspiration from an Alumna
The Guest of Honor, Ms. Debina Delaher, an ALS alumna now holding a degree in Entrepreneurship, spoke with moving testimony. She shared her journey of balancing motherhood and studies, inspiring the new graduates to persevere and never give up on their dreams.
Voices of Gratitude
Representing her classmates, graduate Ms. Jennefer Omar expressed gratitude for the program. Living on an island far from Balabac’s poblacion, she said that without the Arnold Janssen ALS program, education would have been nearly impossible for many in her community.
Teachers on a Mission
Behind the success of the learners are two dedicated facilitators, Ms. Nel Rose Delozar and Ms. Emelyn Vasquez, who travel by sea to reach around seven ALS centers scattered across Balabac’s 36 islands, some near Sabah, Malaysia. Their commitment ensures that no learner, however remote, is left behind.
A Community of Diversity and Hope
Most of this year’s graduates belong to the indigenous Molbog Muslim community, with one Pangutaran Muslim and two Christian learners. Their shared journey illustrates the inclusivity of the program, which bridges faiths and cultures in pursuit of learning.
Each of the twelve diplomas represents victory over daunting barriers—geographical isolation, livelihood struggles, and family responsibilities. For these learners, graduation is not just about academic achievement, but about hope, dignity, and the possibility of building a better future.
More Than a Graduation
Diplomas and certificates were awarded by Fr. Salazar, Fr. Flores, Mr. Cancino, and Ms. Rosini A. Tahajudjin, Social Welfare Assistant. Certificates of Appreciation were also given to mission partners, recognizing their invaluable support.
As the celebration ended in applause, one truth resonated: education in Balabac is more than instruction—it is mission. And these twelve graduates are proof that with perseverance, community support, and faith, even the farthest islands can shine with the light of learning.
