Why Last-Mile Communities Need the Island Scholarship Integrated Program
Kevin John Ortillo, Program Coordinator CORPh
Date Published
Estimated reading time
3–5 minutes
Life on Anajawan Island
What would you sacrifice to pursue an education? Could you leave home, embrace uncertainty, or adapt to a world entirely different from your own? For the youth of Anajawan Island in Siargao, these questions aren’t hypothetical. They are part of everyday life.
Just over an hour by boat from Siargao’s main island lies Anajawan, a quiet sea-bound village in the area of General Luna known for its clear blue waters and squid fishing. For years, the island existed mostly in local legends and stories. Today, however, Anajawan is slowly gaining recognition not only for its natural beauty but also for the strength and resilience of its people. Around 600 residents live here, building lives deeply connected to the sea and land. Among them, scholars Larry (16), Jihann (15), Jemaica (16), and Ryan (16) share their experiences in pursuing education.
A Common Reality for Scholars
Ang madalas naming ginagawa araw-araw ay mag-cellphone o kaya’y manghuli ng isda gamit ang spear gun para may makain kaming ulam.
What we usually do every day is use our cellphones or go fishing with a spear gun so we have something to eat. — Larry, 16
Larry is one of 30 new recipients of the Island Scholarship Integrated Program (ISIP) grant. Life on the island is simple, but to thrive, young people must learn how to survive early. Some of the students grow vegetables around the island to trade them for basic needs like rice, representing the everyday challenges taken on to secure a better future.
Minsan, Milo na lang ang ulam dahil kailangan magtipid. Parang naiiwan ka kapag ikaw lang ang mag-isa.
Sometimes, we eat Milo (a chocolate malt-flavored powdered drink) on rice as our meal because we need to save money. — Jihann, 15
Before Calls Over Ridges Philippines expanded its reach to the General Luna Islands in March 2025, students from its last-mile communities in Brgy. Anajawan, Brgy. La Januza and Mam-on struggled. With only 150 pesos (2.70 USD) as their weekly allowance, 28 of the new scholars told us they began their school week by traveling from Anajawan Island to Suyangan National High School, the closest school where they can continue to learn. Often, they had to rely on the generosity of their teachers for a ride by boat or face paying a significant amount of their allowance.
Nakikisakay lang kami kina Teacher Jacky o Teacher Jenalyn, o kaya naman ay nag-aambagan kami ng 20 pesos, depende sa kung ilan kami sa bangka.
We just hitch a ride with Teacher Jacky or Teacher Jenalyn, or sometimes we chip in 20 pesos each, depending on how many of us are riding the boat. — Jemaica, 16
Once they arrived in Barangay Suyangan, they headed straight to their dormitories—makeshift huts pieced together from materials salvaged after Typhoon Odette. During the rainy season, it became especially difficult to sleep, as rainwater seeped through the roof and dripped onto their beds. On some nights, they were forced to stay standing just to keep dry, enduring the cold and fatigue until morning.
Despite the daily challenges they face, these young scholars still find ways to create a sense of community. Ryan, for instance, shared one of the simple pleasures they enjoy together: “Nagluluto kami ng kulo kasama ng mga lalaki.” (We cook kulo (breadfruit) with the boys.) These moments of togetherness are part of what keeps their spirits high and their bonds strong.
Waves of Change
With the scholarship, these young islanders of Anajawan can now better afford the basic necessities and shelter needed to transform their lives. With a lighter burden, scholars not only become more equipped for their educational journey but also find a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. Another ISIP student, Ryan, shared how the scholarship has made a real difference in his life:
Malaki talaga ang tulong, dahil talaga naman na mababa ang grades ko at minsan pasaway pa. Pero ngayon, simula ng maging scholar ako, parang nagbago ang grades ko. Malaki talagang tulong para sakin.
It really helped a lot, because honestly, my grades were low and I used to be a bit of a troublemaker. But since I became a scholar, my grades started to improve. It’s truly been a big help for me. — Ryan, 16
Scholars Larry, Jemaica, and Ryan are not just recipients of aid. They are proof that with opportunity, guidance, and belief, even the most remote corners of our country can rise. Calls Over Ridges Philippines is not just helping students get to school; it is walking beside them, sharing in their struggles, their small victories, and their boldest dreams. Through this program, we have become part of their journey, and they, an unforgettable part of ours.
About the author
Kevin John Ortillo
Kevin is a Communications Manager based
in Del Carmen, Siargao Island.
