Quiet achievements, stronger futures: APC-Bendum celebrates JWL course completions

This year’s Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL) cycle in APC brings encouraging news – stories of perseverance, growth, and small but meaningful victories that strengthen APC’s mission. Across five different JWL courses, seven indigenous youth and teachers completed their programs and their journeys affirm what is essential to APC’s vision – when indigenous learners are supported and trusted, they rise.

In Bendum, learning is shaped by the land, by family life, and by the rhythm of community responsibilities yet many learners continue to show deep commitment to improving their skills and serving their community.

Learning Facilitator course: One strong completer

From the April 2025 cohort, Eneriza Menaling emerged as the lone completer out of five who began the program – an achievement that speaks to her resilience and dedication. Her completion marks a meaningful step in APC’s long-term effort to form indigenous teachers who understand both classroom practice and cultural grounding. Eneriza’s journey shows what is possible when learners believe in their role as future educators of their community.

Educational Innovation and Leadership: One young educator steps forward

Out of five who enrolled, Risajean Berdesola, APC Teacher and Registrar, completed the course with consistent and commendable work across all modules. For Risajean, the course became more than academic as it strengthened her confidence in shaping learning environments where indigenous identity is respected, honored, and woven into every lesson.

Peace Leader course: Forming a leader rooted in culture

Arman Sagula completed all modules of the Peace Leader course, showing a strong sense of responsibility and growing maturity. Arman’s progress reflects APC’s dream of forming community-grounded peacebuilders – young people who understand conflict, value dialogue, and hold a deep respect for culture as a guide toward harmony.

Reimagining Democratic Foundations for Peace: Two local leaders explore rights and civic life

Both Jason Menaling and Maura Lipanda completed their full set of submissions and online colloquia, a testament to their discipline across long, multi-module courses.

Jason performed strongly, with grades ranging from 1.7 to 2.0 across subjects from human rights to political economy. Maura completed the program with steady effort, balancing studies with her responsibilities in school and community. Their learning strengthens APC’s mission to form indigenous leaders who can articulate their rights, understand diversity, and participate meaningfully in democratic life.

Youth Sports Facilitator course: Three diligent completers

Of the five who began the course, three learners – Jessel Enero, Jessie Berdesola, and Diana Fe Buno -completed all requirements. Their accomplishments mean more than finishing modules. They represent growth in the capacity to gather children, guide games, encourage teamwork, and help young learners build confidence. In APC, sports facilitation is never just about athletics – it is also about strengthening relationships, nurturing joy, and creating safe spaces for youth.

Each of these learners, and the paths they completed, contributes directly to APC’s mission to nurture rooted, confident, and capable Pulangiyēn leaders. Their achievements show emerging indigenous teachers ready to serve local classrooms, future school leaders thinking critically about education, peacebuilders who see culture as a guide to reconciliation, youth mentors who strengthen community spirit, and local leaders learning about rights, governance, and diversity.

These are the qualities APC strives to cultivate – learners who can walk confidently in both indigenous and global spaces without losing their identity.

In a community where obstacles to education are real and daily, every completion is a celebration. APC Executive Director Pedro Walpole SJ couldn’t have said it better, “It is the hope that this embodies for others that brings us forward.”

Every certificate represents courage. Every learner who finishes a course becomes an example to younger children watching from the sidelines. They show that learning in Bendum continues to grow -slowly, steadily, and always rooted in the land and the life of the people.

Photo at the top shows Jason Menaling during his online colloquium with Marina Choi, JWL Project and Programme Coordinator at the School of Transformation and Sustainability of Catholic University in Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Germany

Related story: APC’s partnership with Jesuit Worldwide Learning: Learning together to strengthen community, culture, and land