13/06/2026
Project HOPE Goes to the Cities โค๏ธ
I had the privilege of serving as a guest speaker at the Anti-Bullying Symposium of Tacloban National Agricultural School, where I shared the message and advocacy behind Project HOPE, a project that has always been close to my heart.
When I first envisioned Project HOPE, my dream was never limited to one barangay, one municipality, or one community. My hope was that it would reach schools across Leyte, and perhaps one day, schools throughout the Philippines. Seeing this advocacy being welcomed in a city school is a reminder that dreams rooted in service can truly grow beyond what we initially imagine.
To all the students I met, I reminded them that the future they desire will be influenced by the decisions they make now. Character, integrity, compassion, and respect are built one choice at a time. The kind of person you become tomorrow depends on the values you choose to uphold today.
I also wanted them to know that despite the challenges they see in society, there are still public servants who choose to lead with principles, integrity, and genuine concern for others. There are still people willing to listen, help, and stand beside them when they need guidance. They are never alone.
As I stood before hundreds of learners, I realized that this is the kind of work I want to be remembered for. Not titles, positions, or politics, but the lives touched, the lessons shared, and the hope planted in the hearts of young people.
This is my legacy. And even if the day comes when I am no longer in politics, I will always be proud of Project HOPE and the impact it continues to create. Because if even one student chooses kindness over bullying, courage over silence, and hope over despair, then every seminar, every conversation, and every effort has been worth it.
Thank you, Tacloban National Agricultural School, for the opportunity and for believing in this advocacy. May we continue building schools where every child feels safe, valued, respected, and heard. Because every child deserves hope. โค๏ธ