18/08/2026
From “Subukan Lang Natin” to “Pamilya Ko Na ’To”: John Arman’s GAMAL Journey
There are organizations we join, organizations we serve, and organizations we eventually leave behind. But there are also organizations that become part of who we are—places where friendships grow, lessons are learned, struggles are shared, and victories are celebrated together.
For John Arman Pagsolingan, GAMAL is that kind of place.
John Arman became a member of GAMAL in 2023, and after two years, he proudly describes his journey not simply as membership in an organization, but as becoming part of a family.
“Subukan Lang Natin.”
Before GAMAL became a meaningful part of his life, John Arman never imagined himself joining it.
“Sa totoo lang, dati wala akong interes sa pagsali sa GAMAL,” he shared. He was not fond of dancing, and he initially thought GAMAL was only about performing. More than that, he was shy and uncomfortable being in front of many people.
But sometimes, family begins with a simple invitation.
When his friends encouraged him to join, they told him, “Subukan lang natin.” Those simple words became the beginning of an unexpected journey.
What he once thought would be boring eventually became one of the most unforgettable and memorable experiences of his senior high school life.
Little by little, the unfamiliar became familiar. The strangers became friends. The rehearsals became shared memories. And the organization he once hesitated to join became a place he learned to call home.
A Family That Teaches You to Stand
GAMAL did not only teach John Arman how to perform. It taught him how to face himself.
Before becoming a member, he described himself as extremely shy, afraid of making mistakes, and someone who struggled with patience. But through the guidance of his adviser and the experiences he encountered in GAMAL, these parts of him slowly changed.
He learned to stand with courage.
He learned to face people despite his fear.
He learned that corrections, raised voices, and difficult moments could become lessons rather than reasons to give up.
Most importantly, he learned that learning requires patience.
Like a family member who corrects you because they want you to become better, GAMAL became a space where John Arman was challenged—not to break him, but to help him grow.
The Dance He Will Never Forget
Among all his experiences in GAMAL, one memory remains especially close to his heart: the first time they performed “Sayaw ed Tapew na Bangko.”
It was different from the dances they were accustomed to. The performance demanded courage, practice, focus, and trust.
There was fear.
There was pressure.
But there was also excitement.
Whenever John Arman remembers that experience, one phrase comes to mind:
“Mahirap pero masaya.”
Perhaps that is also a perfect description of being part of a family. There are difficult days, misunderstandings, challenges, and moments when you question yourself. But when you face them together, even the hardest experiences become memories worth keeping.
A Home Outside the Home
For John Arman, what makes GAMAL different from other organizations is its presence even when there is no event or performance.
“Ang GAMAL ay hindi seasonal organization,” he explained. It is a group that remains present, ready to help during school activities and willing to stand together whenever needed.
That constant presence is what makes the word family meaningful.
Family is not only about being together during celebrations. It is also about showing up when someone needs help. It is about staying when things become difficult. It is about encouraging one another when confidence is low and celebrating together when someone succeeds.
In GAMAL, John Arman found that kind of connection.
Discovering What He Could Do
GAMAL also opened doors that John Arman never thought he could walk through.
The family helped him discover talents he once believed were beyond his ability. It taught him that learning something new requires time, dedication, and—most importantly—love for what you do.
His journey taught him three simple but powerful lessons:
Face the things that scare you.
Be grateful for the people around you and for everything you are capable of.
Explore things you have never tried before.
Sometimes, growth begins when we step outside the comfort zone.
For John Arman, GAMAL became the family that encouraged him to take that step.
More Than a Word
If he could describe GAMAL in one word, John Arman would choose FAMILY.
Not merely because members spend time together, but because they support, encourage, motivate, and understand one another.
They share the same rehearsals, struggles, laughter, disappointments, achievements, and dreams.
They celebrate one another's success.
They learn from mistakes together.
They grow together.
And somewhere along the way, the bond becomes deeper than membership.
It becomes belonging.
GAMAL gave John Arman opportunities to develop his talents, but perhaps its greatest gift was something that could never be measured by performances or awards: friendships, memories, lessons, and people who became part of his journey.
“Maraming Salamat, GAMAL.”
As he looks back on his journey, John Arman has one message for the family that helped shape him:
“Maraming salamat, GAMAL and AIS Fam, for being a part of my journey. I’m so grateful for those lessons and experiences na kasama kayo.”
To the new members and officers, he leaves a simple reminder:
Keep showing up. Always do your best in everything you do. Continue making our FAMILY proud.
And to the person who guided him throughout the journey, he adds:
“Maraming salamat rin po, Sir Medes.”
Two years may seem short compared with a lifetime.
But sometimes, it only takes two years for an organization to become a family, for strangers to become brothers and sisters, and for an unexpected invitation—“Subukan lang natin”—to become the beginning of a journey you will never forget.
For John Arman Pagsolingan, GAMAL was never just a place to perform.
It became a place to belong.
