11/08/2026
When Mohaymen Dimaronsing received his Certificate of Technology in Civil Technology this year, he brought not just his technical skills with him, but also the living pride of his Maranao heritage. For Mohaymen, reaching this milestone was made possible through Republic Act 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. Coming from an indigenous community, this Free Higher Education gave him a clear path to apply his training in civil technology toward community development and service.
"The Higher Education Program RA 10931 helped me pursue my college degree at MPC by making education more financially accessible. As a Maranao, I see this law as validating our right to good education to build peace, stand on our own, and rebuild our communities. Education is our mightiest path to healing our land, bringing our families out of hardship, and proving we can lead with understanding and self-respect," he said.
Whenever doubts or old stereotypes about marginalized youth popped up, he drew strength from his lineage and his own choice to keep pushing forward anyway.
“People may tell us higher education isn't for us, that poverty, being far from schools, our culture, or all the pain our communities have lived through are too much to overcome. But I say those are lies meant to hide our light. Our ancestors were leaders, thinkers, and builders. They protected our home and led with wisdom and bold honor. That strength is still in you. Education doesn't make us forget who we are; it gives us the ability to help our people better and make sure our voices can finally be heard where no one listened before,” Mohaymen shared.
An active performer in the MPC Cultural Dance Troupe, Mohaymen spent his college years showing that academic success and traditional heritage must grow together. Mohaymen shared, “Being at MPC has been such an empowering experience. When it comes to my culture, it gave me room to grow, confidence to be myself, and all the support I needed to carry my heritage forward while finding my own way. For one thing, MPC taught me that my culture is a source of pride meant to be shared through community gatherings, cultural events, and opportunities to share our customs and stories. I've realized our traditions are living strengths, not just private ways.”
Through Maranao dance, language, and campus gatherings, he actively keeps his heritage alive. “I've been supported in speaking our language, upholding our values, and passing down our stories, which has strengthened my own sense of belonging,” he shared.
For him, true cultural preservation requires action rather than passive memory. “Preserving tradition isn't just about remembering what was,” he added. “It's about living it now, teaching it, and adapting it so it stays alive for the future.”
Now a proud Class of 2026 Civil Technology graduate, Mohaymen steps into the workforce ready to help build physical infrastructure while continuing to stand up for equal representation and ancestral rights for indigenous youth. “I will speak and act with all I have learned to keep our ancestral lands safe, our traditions alive, and our people's wisdom honored alongside what the modern world knows. I will work so we are fairly represented, so our voices count when choices are made about our home, our way of living, and the world our children will inherit. I will show that we do not have to choose. we can walk as educated, accomplished people and still carry the pride,” Mohaymen said.
Continuing our celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day (August 9), join us all week as we feature the inspiring stories, voices, and achievements of Indigenous students, faculty, and alumni across our SUCs.
