“I felt proud and thankful”: Young Agta shares experience as first in their community to earn degree in Human Kinetics at CSU

FEATURE

For many students, earning a college diploma is a personal achievement. For 22-year-old Neslyne Corpuz Tumaliuan, it is a victory shared with her family, her Indigenous community, and the generations of Agta youth who will come after her.

Hailing from Barangay Piña Este in Gattaran, Cagayan, Neslyne recently made history as the first member of her Agta community to graduate from the College of Human Kinetics (CHK) of Cagayan State University (CSU).

Among the 163 graduates of CHK this year, Neslyne stood out not because of awards or accolades, but because of the journey she had to overcome to reach the graduation stage.

As the fourth of five siblings, she grew up learning the values of hard work, resilience, and perseverance from her family. Like many Indigenous students living in remote communities, she faced numerous obstacles while pursuing higher education, including financial difficulties, long travel distances, and the sacrifices required to stay in school.

Yet amid the challenges, she never let go of her dream.

“I belong to the Agta community, and I grew up with my family learning the values of hard work, respect, and perseverance despite the challenges in life,” Neslyne shared in an interview with GURU Press Cordillera.

“I remained focused on my dream of finishing my studies. Through determination, faith, and support from my family and mentors, I was able to continue until I earned my degree,” she added.

For Neslyne, crossing the graduation stage was more than the culmination of years of study. It represented a breakthrough for a community that has long struggled with limited access to educational opportunities.

She admitted that the pressure of being among the first in her family and community to earn a college degree sometimes weighed heavily on her shoulders.

“I felt proud, thankful, and honored,” she said.

“One of the biggest challenges I faced was the lack of financial resources and the pressure of being the first college graduate in our family and community. There were times when I doubted myself, but I continued because I wanted to prove that Indigenous people like us can also achieve success through education.”

That belief became her motivation whenever hardships threatened to derail her studies. Beyond personal success, she carried a deeper purpose: to help her family and inspire fellow Agta youth to pursue their own dreams.

For Neslyne, education is more than a diploma—it is a pathway toward improving lives and creating opportunities for Indigenous communities.

Now that she has completed her degree, she hopes to find employment and use her achievement to encourage more young Agta students to stay in school and believe in their potential.

“I hope to serve and give back to my community in the future,” she said.

“I feel happy and honored knowing that I opened doors for future generations in our community. I hope my story will inspire others to believe that they too can succeed and achieve their dreams no matter where they come from.”

Her achievement stands as a powerful reminder that determination can overcome even the most difficult circumstances. More importantly, it sends a message to Indigenous youth across the region that their dreams are valid, their aspirations matter, and education can be a bridge to a brighter future.

For the Agta community of Piña Este, Neslyne's diploma is more than a personal accomplishment—it is a symbol of possibility, hope, and progress.