PCP Recognizes Dr. Randy H. Halasan: The ‘Living Light’ Of Pegalongan Public School In Davao City

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) current officials and Board of Regents conferred on Monday the “A.G. Sison Memorial Plaque of Appreciation” and token to Dr. Randy H. Halasan for his outstanding contribution as a teacher at the remote Pegalongan Elementary School in Davao City and for helping as well in instilling positive changes in the community.

The awarding of the plaque of appreciation and token to Halasan was made during the second day of the Plenary Session of the PCP’s 46th Annual Convention held at Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

Among those present in the awarding ceremony were PCP current president Dr. Mariano Lopez Jr. and past president Dr. Anthony Leachon.

Halasan was cited for his dedication as a teacher assigned in the hinterland of Davao City’s Marilog District to teach at Pegalongan Elementary School in Barangay Malampas – a place devoid of electricity, transport service and other basic amenities. The daily sacrifice that he has to endure just to reach the place would discourage a lesser spirit.

In time, he has learned to love his pupils (who were hungry for food and education). He went beyond the classroom to also reach out to the community – teaching the people to plant and make their idle lands productive. With the agricultural technologies and help of barangay officials, he organized the Pegalongan Farmers Association.

For his untiring efforts in building the school and community, he was awarded “The Many Faces of the Teacher 2013” by Bato Balani Foundation and Diwa Learning System.

A simple teacher who has become the “light” and the “bridge” of the tribal people to the outside world, he has made a big difference in touching and uplifting the lives of the Matigsalog tribe.

In 2014, Randy was the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership and for that also received a Resolution of Commendation from the House of Representatives, citing among others:

“To reach Pegalongan from the city takes Halasan seven hours of travel – two hours by bus, one hour over extremely rough roads by motorcycle, four hours walking and crossing of two treacherous rivers….” And yet Randy braved all these for his love of teaching and his love for the children of Pegalongan.”

The PCP award came after Dr. Halasan delivered his lecture through the AG Sison Lecture portion of the program to perpetuate the memory of Dr. Antonio Guillermo Leuterio Sison, a teacher and former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and former director of the Philippine General Hospital.

Dr. AG Sison is being remembered not only as a healer, but also as a great mentor and a great man. He was born on Feb. 11, 1883 and died in 1972.

In his lecture prior to receiving the award, Dr. Halasan emphasized that there should be no limitations in helping the poor and in sharing knowledge to them.

He recalled that as a teacher who had initiated changes, from the original two classrooms in the school, they already have 10 classrooms now and they will soon implement high school to help influence and inspire the children to enter the college level.

He said that in 2009, they only had 10 graduates but this year (as of March 2016), they already have 33 graduates.

This coming June, he said that they will be installing computers in the schools to better educate the students and help them get acquainted in the digitized world.

He said that within May, they will finish the construction of a healthcare room so that those who have relatives that are sick can also receive medical attention.

He stressed that “it is never too late to start initiating doing the best things for our country by sharing knowledge, skills and positive attitude in the community.”

“I truly believe that we can build a stronger Philippines if we open our hearts to serve the people without expecting any personal gains,” he said, adding that whatever challenges and obstacles the people face can be overcome through hard work.

Dr. Halasan said he was honored to be invited in the prestigious PCP conference.

He also urged the Filipinos to refrain from always blaming the government for any imperfections but instead think of how they can help the country in their own ways.

“If I blamed the government, perhaps I should not have taught in a public schools. Marahil, nandoon po ako sa propesyong may mas malaking sweldo,” he said. (PNA) SCS/LSJ/EDS