Manobo man’s mission: Shaping the future of his tribe’s children
By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
In the heart of Brgy. Padiay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, education is gently transforming, bringing meaningful change in subtle yet powerful ways. At Pañas Indigenous Peoples Elementary School, their young school head, Raymon Pagios has made it his personal mission to ensure that Manobo children have the tools they need to succeed—one school bag, one notebook, one pencil at a time.
Pagios, who has dedicated nine years of his life to the Department of Education Caraga Region, has spent the last four years as the school head of Pañas IP Elementary School. His leadership is more than just a role—it’s a lifelong commitment deeply rooted in his heritage.
“Mao ni akong ginabuhat kada tuig inig abre sa klase. Mangita kog paagi para makatabang sa mga igsuon kong Manobo tungod kay ako usa pud ka-Manobo (This is what I do every year for the opening of classes. I really go out of my way to help my fellow Manobo since I am one of them),” said Pagios.
As a proud member of the Manobo tribe himself, he knows firsthand the struggles his people face, particularly in accessing education. Many families cannot afford the basic necessities for school, and that’s where his unwavering dedication steps in.
“Nasinati nako ang kalisod sa ilang panginabuhi. Mubati gyud ko para kanila. Mao nang mangita kog paagi nga malibre gyud ang mga estudyante namo sa tanan nilang panginahanglan sa eskwelahan. Wa nay paliton, igo nalang musulod sa eskwelahan,” he said.
(I can relate with the struggles that they are going through. And I really feel for them. That is why I always look for ways on how to fully provide for their needs in school. They no longer have to buy anything; all they have to do is to go to school.)
Each morning, as the sun rises over the village, students walk eagerly to school, clutching the materials their school head has tirelessly gathered for them.
Through his own personal funds and the generosity of benefactors who believe in his cause, he ensures that every child receives school supplies, sturdy bags to carry them and this year, their very first school uniform. More than just clothing, these uniforms symbolize equality and dignity, reinforcing the idea that education is a right, not a privilege.
“Nasabutan namo sa akong fellow teachers na magpabuhat mi ug uniform sa mga bata para mas masinati jud nila nga estudyante sila (My co-teachers and I have agreed to provide uniforms to our students so that they will really be able to identify themselves as students),” said Pagios.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Parents thank him, sharing how his generosity has lifted a financial burden from their shoulders.
“Dako kaayo namong kalipay nga si Sir Raymon nahimong tigdumala sa Pañas kay pinaagi sa iya daghang panalangin ang niabot sa eskwelahan (We are very happy that Sir Raymon has been assigned as the school head of Pañas because through him, more blessings poured on our school),” said Annie M. Onggo, one of the parents of Pañas ES students.
Onggo, a 32-year-old mother of two elementary students of Pañas ES, is a member of the Manobo tribe and so is her husband. They live off the baskets of bananas that her husband harvests, and from the little profit she gets from her small “sari-sari” or convenience store.
Their minimal joint income is almost insufficient to provide for their family’s daily consumption. As such, school supplies can no longer be accommodated in their budget.
“Pinaagi sa paningkamot ni Sir Raymon ug sa pagka-manggihatagon sa mga donor, kumpleto na gyud ang mga gamit sa mga bata sa eskwelahan, mao nang wala nay rason para sila dili maka-eskwela (Through the diligence of Sir Raymon and the generosity of the donors, our children’s school materials are already provided for, and there is no reason for them not to go to school),” Onggo further expounded.
Beyond the supplies, he instills a deeper message: that education is the foundation upon which the Manobo people can build a stronger future. He envisions a community where Manobo children do not just survive but thrive, where their aspirations stretch beyond the mountains that surround them.
As he walks through the school grounds, watching his students pour over their lessons, he smiles. Change is happening—not through grand gestures or speeches, but through quiet, consistent acts of compassion. And in this small corner of Caraga, a Manobo educator is proving that one person’s mission can transform generations. (NJGD/PIA Caraga)
