Randy Halasan

Ramon Magsaysay Awardee

Our very own Randy Halasan, a teacher in Pegalongan Elementary School, was awarded with the Ramon Magsaysay Emergent Leadership award last August 31, 2014.

The Ramon Magsaysay award is given to those individuals who continued the former Philippine president’s legacy. This is to recognize the people who dedicated their lives in serving the minority with compassion. These individuals who strive for change in making this world a better place for the future generation, even in their own little way.

Halasan was assigned in the area last 2007. His first impression of the area is it was deplorable because it was neglected and isolated. The school only has two classrooms and two teachers at that time. He had a hard time adjusting in the area that at some point he wanted to be transferred. 

But day by day Halasan fell in love with the community. He saw how the students are determined to go to school and learn, they had to cross streams and walk in dusty roads just to reach the school. 

The unforgettable moment for Halasan happened last March 2009, during his first graduation experience in the area. He saw the students together with their family cried out of sheer of joy from seeing a toga. 

 “They cried because it was their first time to see a toga… they cannot imagine that [their children] could finish elementary,” said Mr. Halasan in an interview.

Randy Halasan, the teacher, also became a beacon of hope to the community. He networked with government and private institutions to provide more classrooms and even agricultural equipment for their economic development as well.

Contributor:

Kris Fatima Conat

AB- Mass Communication

Ateneo de Davao University

Intern