13/07/2026
Wow!! Congrats to our very own, Sir Noel B. Sulotan! ๐๐๐
Born into a poor family with ten siblings, Noel Banggat Sulotan grew up knowing how difficult life could be. His father was a farmer and blacksmith, while his mother stayed at home to care for the family. Despite their hardships, Noel loved going to school and dreamed of finishing his education. However, after completing elementary school, his father could no longer afford to send him to high school and instead asked him to work to help support the family.
At just 13 years old, Noel left home for Davao City to look for work. He took on different jobs from being an all-around helper in a carinderia to working in a grocery store and later in a clinic. Although life was challenging, he never gave up on his dream of studying.
In 2012, a friend encouraged him to enroll in the Alternative Learning System (ALS). Unsure of what ALS was at first, Noel took the opportunity and enrolled. Through the guidance of his ALS teacher and his own determination, he passed the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test with an average of 89%. ALS became the bridge that allowed him to continue the education he thought he had lost.
His ALS journey opened the door to college, where he earned a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. Although he faced several failed attempts in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), he refused to quit. Encouraged by a close friend and driven by perseverance, Noel continued preparing until he finally became a Licensed Professional Teacher.
Today, Noel proudly shares that ALS changed the course of his life. From once being a learner who was given a second chance, he now gives back by helping others discover the same opportunity through ALS.
His story reminds us that poverty, age, and life's challenges are never barriers to achieving our dreams.
With determination, the support of others, and the opportunity that ALS provides, success is always within reach.
โฅ๏ธ๐๐