He hurdled autism and became a valedictorian

Jorel Sanchez Pangan

MANILA, Philippines — Jorel Sanchez Pangan, this year’s high school valedictorian at Raises Academy in Angono, Rizal province, has no memories of stories from his parents about his tantrums and self-injurious behavior, being nonverbal until he was nearly 4 years old. He would repetitively climb the stairs and jump on the third step, they would say.

Jorel was diagnosed with autism during childhood but has since excelled academically. More importantly, as his parents Rey and Roselyn and those who know him would attest to, he has become a compassionate and insightful young adult.

“I know I am unique but your tremendous support has done so much for me. To my loving parents, who have embraced the impossible 20 years ago, I owe you everything,” Jorel said in his valedictory speech at a graduation ceremony held online on July 29.

“Being in senior high wasn’t easy, but there are no shortcuts. So live in the moment, seek help when needed, persevere, have patience—which is something I have to work on—and focus on what you have and be grateful.”

‘Unpredictable’

The middle of three Pangan children, Jorel was found with autism when he was not yet 2 years old.

“He is now very caring and compassionate. But he used to be unpredictable. Out of frustration since he was nonverbal at the time, he would bite himself, bang his head on the floor, and slam down his body repeatedly,” said Roselyn.

His parents did not give up in finding ways to provide him the best possible care in collaboration with medical and special education specialists.

“Children with special needs are like uncut gems who need to be polished so they may shine. It was a bumpy journey raising a special child but it is a gift. And God sends angels in human form to help us care for this special child,” Roselyn said.

“During the times when we found it very, very hard to go on, we would pray the rosary unceasingly. I don’t know how many oceans of tears we have shed, but praying eased our emotional burden and strengthened us as a family,” she said.

Special education teacher Raquel Luague remembered Jorel, then 2, finding it difficult to be separated from his nanny Vilma De Leon during therapy sessions. He would cry for a long time and vent his frustration by hurting himself or others.

Over time, she said, the boy became eager about going to school and enjoyed painting and other art activities while showing remarkable progress in his development.

“His parents believed without a trace of doubt that he is so much capable. His parents are his No. 1 advocate and they would not settle for anything less than the best for him,” Luague said.

Determination

At 5, Jorel attended preschool and went all the way to high school at Raises Montessori Academe in Angono. Two years later, he was enrolled at Kumon Learning Center, also in Angono, and finished its math program.

His mother, who also took postgraduate special education classes at the University of the Philippines, would untiringly explain to other parents, school administrators and teachers why her son was “misbehaving” in class.

According to teacher Darlina Francisco, Jorel was “very playful” and “sometimes more hyper than ordinary kids,” but could keep up with his classmates academically, except initially in Filipino subjects.

But “his determination to learn was there,” said Francisco, whom the boy considers his “second mom” for mentoring him through junior high school.

Francisco said: “We, his teachers motivated him to push through. He had a hard time but he was able to do it because he saw that his teachers were working with him.”

In 2017, Jorel ranked ninth nationwide among all Kumon math completers.

Instructor Ces Robelo counts the boy’s journey as one of the most memorable in the center’s 12-year existence.

“It wasn’t a smooth path, [but] we are all proud to have been part of it. Seeing how supportive his family [was] and how much he [was] progressing in his Kumon studies gave us enough fuel to help him realize his study goals. We just had to believe that he could do it, and he did,” Robelo said.

Last visit

In his last visit to Kumon, Jorel and his former instructors shared a laugh as they remembered how he would throw a fit when he found the worksheets difficult, or wander around the room when he lost focus.

“Jorel is a very sweet young lad especially if he’s in a good mood. He respects and loves his family so much, especially his mom. He always said that he’s studying hard for her,” said instructor Cherry Fermin-Estrada.

His senior high school teachers found Jorel a fast-learner, “studious, polite and a keen listener.”

Teacher Rodilee Pellazar said: “He always sits in front of the class because he believes that he must give his 100 percent concentration since he said senior high is the preparation stage for college. He keeps telling me that he is so excited for college life.”

She said Jorel got along well with the teachers and guards but was initially afraid to make friends with his classmates “because they might laugh at him or stay away from him.”

When the teasing got out of hand and some of his classmates were called to the guidance counselor’s office, “we saw his concern for his classmates. He said, ‘I should forgive them so they will also learn to forgive,” Pellazar said.

Amid the pandemic threat and economic uncertainty, Jorel remains hopeful, encouraging his classmates not to lose heart.

“COVID-19 may have altered our plans, our goals, but nothing is permanent. So don’t lose heart. Because sometimes it’s OK not to be OK. So hold on tight and don’t let your dreams slip away,” he told them.