08/09/2026
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𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽
Before she became the captain of a school, she first had to learn how to sail through the storms of her own life.
Her journey began with waters far from calm. Growing up, financial struggles and heavy responsibilities tested her family, but these challenges never became an anchor that kept her from moving forward. Instead, they strengthened her resolve to reach the destination she had envisioned for herself.
At the heart of that journey was her father.
Unable to finish his own education, he worked tirelessly to provide for their family. His sacrifices became the wind that pushed her forward the reason she woke up early each morning, prepared for school, and carried not only her books but also a dream: to make her father’s sacrifices worthwhile.
The voyage became more challenging when she entered college. There were days when the waves of uncertainty grew stronger, but she held firmly to the words that became her guiding compass:
“Reach your goal with all your might, because you are the captain of your ship and the master of your soul.”
She did not simply keep these words in her heart; she lived by them. Every day, she reminded herself of the destination waiting beyond the struggles. She pictured the life she wanted and continued sailing toward it, one determined step at a time.
Eventually, the long journey brought her to the shore she had dreamed of reaching.
She pursued education because teaching was more than a profession to her it was a passion. Through perseverance and dedication, she rose through the ranks and eventually became a principal after passing the Principal’s Test.
But her journey did not end when she reached the helm.
Today, Dr. Maribel C. Bandejo stands at the helm of Dolores National High School, guiding a community of teachers and learners toward a shared destination. She imparts knowledge, offers guidance, and recognizes the efforts of those who help keep the school moving forward.
Her story is not simply about becoming a principal. It is about a daughter who transformed her father’s sacrifices into motivation, a dreamer who refused to be defeated by difficult waters, and an educator who now helps others find their own direction.
The waters may not always be calm. There will be storms, strong winds, and moments when the destination seems distant. Yet her journey reminds us that every difficult voyage begins with the courage to keep sailing.
And so, the captain who once sailed toward her own dreams now steers a much bigger ship carrying with her the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the Dolores National High School community.
With a steady hand and a heart shaped by sacrifice, Dr. Maribel C. Bandejo continues to lead her ship forward.
𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆: 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘀 | 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆: 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮 𝗔𝗯𝗮𝗱