ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Moro teenagers from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao provinces are starting to build big dreams in a school here.
Instead of grabbing the opportunities to be part of prestigious universities in Luzon, 16-year-old Jubail Bilao, who graduated valedictorian from Matanog National High School in Maguindanao, opted to try his chance at getting a scholarship abroad after passing a 20-day summer mentoring program of Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School in Sinunuc village here. A scholarship grant in Turkey awaits the students who excel in the review.
“I want to learn more about science and new technologies. I want to develop new technologies and bring back home this technology that will improve farming systems and help our farmers like my father,” Bilao said.
Abdulracman Taib, 15, a third-year high school student of Sultan Kudarat Islamic College in Maguindanao, wants to develop and improve his leadership skills “so I can lead in my own place and lead in stopping corruption.”
The only child of a farmer, Taib said he had nothing to lose if he focused on his advocacy of fighting corruption.
Basilan National High School’s math whiz, Salman Hassan, 14, said perfecting his math skills was his main goal so he could be one of the best engineers in the Bangsamoro.
Islamic values and improving his Koran teaching and preaching skills are what 16-year-old Mohammad Khairul Adzwab Latif of Tawi-Tawi School of Arts and Trade is aiming for.
“I am young but at this age, I want to be someone who can help my fellow young Muslims follow what the Koran says. I feel bad and embarrassed when I hear news that some young Muslims are engaged in crimes like kidnapping or are joining the Abu Sayyaf,” Latif said.
Last summer, Latif spent his free time in an Islamic school and driving his father’s tricycle to earn and save for his school’s tuition.
Fourteen-year-old Nadzmeir Hailil of Sulu State College Laboratory wants to study law and the tenets of Islam. A native of Indanan town, Hailil said his place was noted for different armed groups and many of his people had been arrested and mistaken for being criminals.
“We don’t have lawyers who really help our people. With this opportunity, I hope to be good in laws and protect our people,” Hailil said.
Bilao, Taib, Hassan, Latif and Hailil are among the 39 Moro high school students from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) chosen to avail of the 20-day review in math, science, English, logic, values and orientation on Turkey education.
Commissioner Edilwasif Baddiri of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos told the Inquirer that the program was the first ever partnership with Integrative Center for Alternative Development Foundation, “targeting the brightest, hardworking and deserving Muslim Filipino high school students.”
The plan was to have 50 students, 10 from each of the ARMM provinces—Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. “Unfortunately, the Lanao opted not to join due to security issues in Zamboanga City and we respected that. Some were not able to make it so we ended up with 39 students,” Baddiri said.
The students enjoy free board, lodging and transportation.
Mehmet Biter, school director of Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School, said students would undergo a series of examinations after they complete their diagnostic tests.
“We want to know their levels, what particular fields they excel in and at the same time help them improve their attitude and leadership skills,” Biter said. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao