Gratitude and Growth: Graduation of Young IP Leaders from Pamulaan
“Salamat.” Thank you.
This is the one word Jerwin Victoria chose to humbly express how he felt on June 8, 2018, the day of his graduation. There indeed was much to be grateful for—the triumph of graduating, the presence of his family, the support from all over for him to make it that far.
Jerwin hails from Tarlac, and is among the indigenous Aeta Mag-Antsi tribe. He is one of eight Young Indigenous Peoples (YIP) Leaders Program grantees whom Cartwheel Foundation, Inc. has supported these past four years as they journeyed through college to complete their degree in Agricultural Technology at the University of South Eastern Philippines (USEP) – Pamulaan Center for IP Education.
Jerwin Victoria (center) with his proud parents immediately after their graduation rites at Pamulaan Center for IP Education
He is one of four special awardees from his batch, given the recognition of having Leadership in Culture. He humbly admitted, “Hindi ko pa rin alam kung paano ko nakamtan ang award na ito.” (“I still don’t know how I achieved this award.”) But the people who witnessed him grow attest that he truly deserves the recognition. Dr. Mary Grace Agbas (USEP’s coordinator for Pamulaan) says Jerwin never misses solidarity nights, which shows how he has grown in cultural appreciation throughout the years. In addition, another formator also said that the leadership awardees are chosen by the entire student population of Pamulaan, which goes to show how highly regarded Jerwin is by his peers.
Jerwin (center) leads his batch in the Tribute to the Elders during their graduation rites
After graduating, Jerwin looks forward to serving as a volunteer under the Companions for Assisi Development Foundation for Peace (CAP) Program. He has been selected together with other YIP grantees Sharlyn Guminang, Farley Mancao, Chrislyn Da-aw, and Famela Magunot. They will be assigned to partner communities and organizations of Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI) with and for whom they will be doing relevant work in reaching out to fellow Indigenous Peoples as well as other marginalized groups.
Cartwheel’s Young IP Leader Program grantee-graduates, Batch 2018
L-R: Arnold Victoria, Romar Banlugan, Famela Magunot, Decemae Vergara, Pia Ortiz-Luis (Cartwheel Executive Director), Sharlyn Guminang, Chrislyn Da-aw, Farley Mancao, and Jerwin Victoria
Sharlyn shares her own words of gratitude in a letter and writes:
“I am about to step out from the place where I am honed to become a leader and a person with a heart for service…Thank you for inspiring me and my fellow indigenous youth to extend our hearts and hands to our co-indigenous people in our communities.”
All graduates of Pamulaan Batch 2018 happy to show off their respective tribal colors!
(Photo credits: Pamulaan Center for IP Education)
To the many who generously reached out to our grantees and helped them grow while in college these past four years, we echo with deepest sincerity: Salamat!