APC Graduation and Moving-Up ceremonies 2026: Education rooted in culture, forming guardians of Creation

In a gathering that was both solemn and deeply communal, APC celebrated its Graduation and Moving-Up ceremonies for School Year 2025-2026 that unfolded not just in a single program but through a series of meaningful moments rooted in faith, culture, and community life.

The celebration began on 26 March with a Mass at the community chapel where the community gathered in gratitude, offering thanksgiving for the journey of the learners, the dedication of teachers, and the sacrifices of families. The Mass grounded the celebration in faith, affirming that education in APC is not separate from spiritual life but is deeply intertwined.

At dawn the following day, before the formal ceremonies commenced, elders of the Bendum Tribal Council led a panggimukud ritual at the grounds of the grade school campus. This ritual invoked guidance, blessing, and protection for the graduates and completers as they move forward in life. It was a powerful reminder that APC education is anchored not only in formal instruction but also in the wisdom, practices, and spiritual worldview of the community.

These moments of prayer, both Christian and indigenous, set the tone for the ceremonies that followed, embodying the very theme of the celebration, Education that begins with culture, a source of peace that strengthens the care of Creation.

The ceremonies gathered students, teachers, parents, tribal elders, institutional partners, and government representatives, who all share in the responsibility of educating the young.

Among those present were key officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) Malaybalay City Division: Mary Gladys Dublas, Division Coordinator for Private Schools; Dr. Nyms Docdocil, District 10 Supervisor; and Dr. Janryl Okit, Education Program Supervisor for TVL. They were joined by Father John Lester “Bongbong” Tajon SJ, Superior of the Bukidnon Mission District, who served as the graduation speaker. Representatives from the Jesus V del Rosario Foundation (JVRF), led by their Executive Director Kana Manlapuz, together with partners from EMCOR (JVRF’s corporate arm), also joined.

At the heart of the celebration was a reflection on what it truly means for education to begin with culture. In explaining the theme, Ate Mercy Pakiwag, Coordinator for Teachers and Students Formation, emphasized that the foundation of APC education lies in values handed down by the ancestors, values that continue to guide how the community lives and learns. She spoke of love of God as the grounding of all life, a faith that calls each person to live with purpose and responsibility. This love naturally extends into a deep respect and care for creation, recognizing that land, water, and forests are not merely resources, but gifts entrusted to the community. From this flows the value of cooperation, of helping one another in ways that sustain both present and future generations. These values, she explained, shape a kind of education that does not separate knowledge from life, but instead deepens one’s understanding of identity and responsibility.

This understanding of education as formation rooted in culture and oriented towards care was further deepened in the message of Father Bongbong Tajon. He connected the lived experiences of APC to the wider teachings of the Church, affirming that cultural education plays a vital role in shaping how people relate to creation. Drawing from Scripture, he reminded the graduates that the earth ultimately belongs to God and that human beings are entrusted not as owners, but as caretakers. This sense of guardianship, he explained, is already present in many local traditions, where respect for the land and harmony within the community are deeply embedded practices. In this way, culture becomes a living expression of faith.

Echoing the call of Laudato Si’, Father Bongbong emphasized that care for the environment is not only a scientific or economic concern, but a moral and spiritual one. Education, therefore, must form conscience, teaching not only what is right, but why it matters. In APC, this is seen in how students learn to recognize the interconnectedness of life and their responsibility to future generations. The graduates, he said, are now called to embody this formation as witnesses of a “culture of care” in their communities and beyond.

This call to responsibility found a grounded affirmation in the message of Jason Menaling, the newly recognized chieftain of Bendum, who spoke not from theory but from his own life. Reflecting on his own journey as a former APC student, he recalled how many of his peers once dreamed of becoming doctors, nurses, or teachers. For Jason, however, his dream was simple yet profound – to serve as a leader in his community, to be a datu.

He acknowledged that leadership is not easy, especially in a community shaped by diverse realities and responsibilities. Yet for him, leadership is rooted in love for the people, in pakig-uban (walking with others), and in shared responsibility for the good of the community. He reminded the graduates that each person carries a role not only for oneself, but for others and that true leadership is expressed through cooperation, humility, and commitment to the common good.

Datu Jason, introduced as Datu Man Sandigan following indigenous naming traditions, also emphasized the importance of continuing what was already started and not abandoning the work of those who came before, but rather strengthening and sustaining this work. He called on the youth to remain grounded in their identity, to work together, and to avoid attitudes that divide or weaken the community. His message was both a challenge and an encouragement: that the future of Bendum rests in their willingness to remain united, to help one another, and to live out the values they learned.

At the same time, he expressed deep gratitude to the many individuals and partners who journeyed with APC, especially those who give their time, support, and sacrifices for the continued growth of the community. His words reflected leadership that is not centered on authority, but on service and shared responsibility.

These reflections were echoed in the young voices of the Grade 12 graduating class represented by John Recker Berdesola. His message was one of gratitude toward teachers who patiently guided them, parents who made daily sacrifices, and the many individuals who made their education possible. He acknowledged the role of APC in teaching them not only how to read, write, and solve problems, but how to understand life more deeply.

In remembering the late Datu Amay Nestor Menaling, he spoke of the lasting impact of elders who taught them to value their culture and care for their surroundings, the teachings that, he said, have become part of who they are. His words reflected both humility and determination: despite hardship, they will continue striving, not only for personal success but to honor those who supported them. Education, he reminded his fellow students, is both a bridge toward their dreams and a responsibility to live well and serve their community.

The message from DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara reflected these insights, highlighting the resilience of learners who persevered through challenges and emphasizing that education forms not only knowledge but also discipline, compassion, and strength of character. This vision of learners prepared to lead with competence and character reflects the broader aspirations of Philippine education and resonates with APC’s own mission.

Similarly, the message from Schools Division Superintendent Cherry Mae Limbaco-Reyes emphasized that competence and character must go hand in hand. She recognized the collective effort of educators, families, and partners in forming learners holistically, affirming that education is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the classroom.

Following the formal ceremonies, the community gathered at Adagi Balay for a panampulut, a traditional sharing of food that brought together graduates, families, guests, and the wider community in a moment of fellowship followed by the community lunch.

The Graduation and Moving-Up Ceremonies of APC for School Year 2025-2026 were not simply a culmination of academic achievement but a living expression of APC’s vision of education that is deeply rooted in culture, strengthened by faith, and directed toward the care of creation.

The APC graduates of 2026 step forward not just carrying diplomas but also a way of seeing and living in the world rooted in identity, guided by values, and committed to the care of their gaup and the strengthening of their community.