My teacher, my leader

He was one among the “The Many Faces of the Teacher” awardees. Then he joined the community of 301 other Magsaysay laureates who have received Asia’s highest honor to date. Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Teacher Randy Halasan, 33 won the prize for “his purposeful dedication in nurturing his Matigsalug students and their community to transform their lives through quality education and sustainable livelihoods, doing so in ways that respect their uniqueness and preserve their integrity as indigenous peoples in a modernizing Philippines.” In 2015, Davao City has awarded him its highest honor – Datu Bago Award.

Completed Elementary Education in USEP in 2003, a lengthy teaching stint in Pegalongan Elem. School, Sitio Pegalongan, Brgy. Malamba, Marilog District never rested on Sir Randy’s mind.

Staying in a community with 80 Matigsalug families, without electricity or signal is a very difficult reality to live with for a young Randy in 2007. “Nightmare ang akong unang assignment sa Pegalongan, 2 hrs from Davao, sakay motorcycle for 20 minutes dayon, 3 to 4 hours hiking.”

He wanted to be a lawyer or a doctor, but life brought him to into another cradle instead – in the heart of Marilog mountains, in a place where he needs to cross rivers before he meets his students. “And so the first plan was to request for reassignment. I thought di jud ko mudugay, 2 months lang jud.”

But years ran fast. “I’ve been adopted in one of the homes there and in 2009, from being a teacher in grades 1 and 2, I was transferred to grade 6 where I became instrumental to produce first grade 6 graduates,” said Sir Randy.

His compassion for his hungry Matigsalug students inspired him to stay. And why not, life in Pegalongan became so kind with Sir Randy. “After 3 years, he was promoted to become the school head. Then through his initiative, additional classrooms were built. “From 2 nahimong 9 na in 2012.”

In addition, “Naghangyo pud ko nga tukuran ug sitio high school to minimize early marriage, and so it happened. At first, the high school had 1 teacher only, then another permanent teacher came in. Today, walo na mi.”

As the school principal, Sir Randy focuses on instructional leadership. And today, there are 200 students being enrolled already. “Sa kalayo sa lugar, naa g’yud diay education, naay pag asa ang mga lumad, yung mga graduates dati, naminyo na kay wala pay high school dati, grade 6 ra.”

Looking beyond the problem in education, he also linked with various agencies for infrastructure projects. Organizing a farmer’s association made him get an access to teach modern farming and acquire 4 agricultural machines. “Teachers’ cottage was already put up to serve as their boarding house, too.”

They say, the true measure of being a leader is when others follow his/her footsteps even if he/she is not around anymore.

Sir Randy has no plan to stay in Marilog for life, but he is trying to leave a leadership example worthy of emulation. “When you say a leader, you say formative, you share knowledge to others, na kailangan katong mutubo sila napud. There is no boundaries in helping others. Loving is giving something that do not expect something in return.”

Presently, his group is trying to put up a community assembly and an office for tribal leaders/workers. “Tapos na ang hanging bridge sa first phase, nagsugod na pud ug road survey.”

His newly formed Pegalongan Matigsalog Youth Association works on their hog raising to raise fund and inspire more youth. “I want them to be productive in the community and lead fellow youth away from drugs or vices.”

Sir Randy hopes for a happy family in the future and for more people to help him in his advocacy.

“My prayer for the community is that they remain to be hardworking, while preserving their identity. To be united and strong in this modernizing world, and to remain humble and grateful.”

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