14/10/2025
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฎ.
Where gunfire once echoed in the mountains, the sound of learning now fills the classroomsโand the sound of progress echoes in the streets.
Each angry click of a trigger has been replaced by the gentle tapping of keyboardsโeach keystroke a quiet act of hope. The shouts of conflict have given way to whispers of curiosity, courage, and a shared vision for progress.
These reflections inspired me to take a chanceโto propose an Hour of Code with MSU-Sulu. Since I was already there, I decided to stay a few extra days to introduce AI Ready ASEAN. Honestly, I didnโt expect much. It seemed too soon, too ambitious.
But to my surprise, within just a week, everything came togetherโan understanding reached, an MOU signed, and three Hour of Code sessions successfully conducted.
It warms my heart to hear visionaries like ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ ๐๐ฅ-๐๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฏ ๐. ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฆ, the Dean of MSU-Suluโs College of Computing Studies, share their dreams for their school and their province.
He spoke not just of producing graduates who can code, but of nurturing innovators who can build solutions for their own communities. His vision extends beyond classrooms and computer labsโitโs about empowering young Tausug minds to see technology as a bridge to peace, opportunity, and self-reliance. Hearing his passion reaffirmed what Iโve always believed: transformation begins with people who dare to dream differently.
All this would never have been possible without the solid support of a team of government workers whose efforts often go unnoticed but have an enormous impact on the people they serveโthe DICT Region IX Basulta team, under the able leadership of Sir Lowenfeld Tan.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your all-out support. May this be the beginning of more partnerships and a thriving tech community in Sulu.
The Hour of Code makes AI and coding fun, easy, and accessible for students, teachers, and even parents. Itโs part of a global movement that inspires curiosity, builds problem-solving skills, and promotes responsible tech use. It's sponsored by the with support from Google.org and implemented in the Philippines by Limitless Labs and other local implementing partners.
