Dreams and Destiny: The Flames of Al-Francis Jude Rabagoโs Courage
By Josephine De Guzman | Published June 22, 2025
โIf you canโt change your situation, change your perspective about it.โ Al-Francis Jude Rabago, 23, a graduating student of the Bachelor of Technology Major in Electronics Technology at the University of Southern Mindanao-Kidapawan City Campus (USM-KCC), has always been someone who stood in the shadows of life. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, he continues to strive forward with unshakeable fortitude, holding firmly the torch of hope, bravery, and progress. Cultivating the spark of bravery, he continues to defy his destined journey with dreams, reaching for the peak of light offered by academic success. With the constant companionship of Him, Rabago stays optimistic in seeing the positive side of life, creating opportunities, radiating light, and seeing hope in the clouds of challenges.
๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐ต ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ผ๐ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ Each of us walks on a unique path, one that is always different from others. Rabago, a firm believer in โEverything happens for a reasonโ, has trained himself to widen his understanding of circumstances and scenarios, stating that, โif you canโt change your situation, change your perspective.โ Rabago is a man of wisdom who radiates inspiration in his every step. He described his journey as a KCCian as one of the most challenging yet fulfilling courses in his life, illuminating the path of virtue with nurtured growth and solidified goals. During the interview, he emphasized how he handled the different hurdles of the university despite his condition. โChallenging. I know that everyone finds schooling hard and challenging [โฆ] my medical condition just made my situation more difficult, but if kaya nila, kaya ko rin. Binigay โto sa akin ng Diyos kasi alam niya yung lakas ko [โฆ]โ. ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ Love builds the foundation, while support sustains the core. Raised by a single mom, Rabago has learned early the flair of trials surrounding not just his lifeโs odyssey, but of his mother. With all the emotional, physical, and financial challenges he and his family faced, Rabago had made a promise for a better future, not for him but for his family. โI promised to pursue education. To provide, [โฆ] and to let my mother have the financial relief even sa gamay ra nga butang kay kabalo ko nga malipay jud na siya nga ang iyahang anak is makatabang na sa iyaha.โ Molded by adversityโs fire, Rabago unlocked doors of understanding towards a lot of things, and among those are the importance of a strong support system in pursuing dreams and education, stating that the principle has been his primary motivation since he started walking with crutches. โFor me, every parent is a hero. [โฆ] I always look up jud sa akong mama because she is the only one thatโs been consistent sa akoang life [โฆ] single mom pero support jud siya sa akoa and sya jud ang una na naga-motivate[โฆ] maong wa jud ko nahadlok [โฆ]โ People come and go, yet at some point, people also come up with the conclusion that someone can and will stay despite every other inconsistency. For Rabago, not one person in his life is comparable to how his mom remained consistent and strong, even when he was not, in his life, stating that his mother is his pillar, his strength, and his best friend. ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ช๐ถ๐น๐น ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐ข๐ณ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ข๐๐ป In his 4-year stay at USM-KCC, Rabago came to know that friendship is not only a form of entertainment, rather it is a form of companionship and additional support. He shared that the bond he has with his department buddies gave him the confidence to see the light that shined upon his path and to see the potential that accompanies his step. When asked about how he sees himself after he graduates, Rabago shared that he is looking forward to honing his public speaking skills. He also emphasized that what he wants is for his family to live peacefully and comfortably, mentioning that he aims to make a difference that will be seen beyond his condition. ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ฒ๐ณ ๐ข๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐ โ I know that I am different from others and kabalo ko nga lahi-lahi tag gina-agian tanan [โฆ] lahi lahi pud tag ways para makasugakod. Kabalo ko sa akong kusog ug kabalo ko saakong kaya nga buhaton. Dili nako gusto [โฆ] mag-self pity kay I know na kaya nako buhaton ang kaya pud sa uban, pero in a different manner lang [โฆ] wa jud nako gina-compare akong sarili sa uban.โ Never compare your situation to others; it will slowly destroy the pillars of your courage. Growing up, Rabago learned to shift his focus to the things that needed more of his energy, ignoring statements of doubt. He shared that he is also someone who gets hurt by the words thrown at him by the people who bring nothing good to his plate, but instead of dwelling on something that he has no control over, Rabago learned to endure the sting of words and has learned to forge resilience within the hurt, continuing to push forward with his family on his mind. Al-Francis Jude Rabagoโs story reminds us that resilience and bravery are a harmonious blend that will help us achieve our goals. His perspective about life tells us a tale of how limits only exist in our minds, conquering chasms of doubt with his dreams and surviving the odds of crossing the plans of fate. With less than a week until the 57th Commencement Exercises of USM-KCC, Rabago is eagerly anticipating the declaration of graduates and wearing the cap and gown that will be the testament of his courage.
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